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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (right) receives a welcome hug, one of the many he received on his tour of Royalton Negril on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Management and staff were out in their numbers to greet the Minister at the restart of operations following a multi-million-dollar restoration in the wake of last year’s hurricane.

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Workers Joyful as Royalton Negril Reopens Amid Wider Tourism Recovery

NEGRIL, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Pulsating music, dance and colourful dresses marked the reopening of the Royalton Negril hotel and the return of nearly 1,000 workers to their jobs. The hotel reopened at 50 percent occupancy, which is expected to rise to 80 percent over the US Thanksgiving period, and is already sold out for Jamaica’s Heroes Weekend and Christmas. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was excited as he moved among staff members and was greeted with gleeful smiles as he toured the property to see firsthand its multi-million-dollar recovery from the impact of hurricane Melissa. “When I walked in, I saw that 960 workers were back on the job, and that by Thanksgiving, I'm told, the other 320 will be back, and we will have a full complement of 1,200 workers employed. That means families are now going to be more secure. It's coming back at the right time with back to school,” Minister Bartlett said.

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Bartlett Extends Condolences to Family of Tourism Stalwart Sue McManus

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that two cruise ships will call on the Ocho Rios Port this week. This development the Minister underscores, is further evidence of the growing demand for destination Jamaica and the success of efforts to reopen the tourism sector.

Bartlett Calls for Proactive Global Governance to Boost Resilience of Tourism Sector

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 16, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance for global tourism policy makers and industry leaders to activate a more proactive and decisive approach, to enhance the sector’s resilience.

Bartlett to Participate in Global Sustainable Travel Forum in Portugal

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 14, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is set to participate in the highly anticipated ‘A World for Travel – Évora Forum,’ a global sustainable travel industry event, scheduled for September 16 and 17 in Évora, Portugal.

Pre-booked Carnival Cruise Ship to Arrive on Monday, September 13

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 12, 2021: The Carnival Sunrise cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Ocho Rios on Monday, September 13, 2021 with approximately 1,700 cruise passengers onboard.

Tourism Officials Mourn Passing of Beloved Songbird Karen Smith

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 11, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and other tourism officials are mourning the passing of well-known and beloved singer, Karen Smith. Smith, who performed for decades as a cabaret singer across all resort areas, passed away earlier today.

Bartlett Extends Condolences to Family of St. Ann Hotelier Richard Salm

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 9, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the relatives and friends of St. Ann hotelier, Richard Salm, who died in a motor vehicle crash yesterday, along the Llandovery main road in St. Ann.

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