Government of Jamaica

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News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right) leads a unifying group handshake with (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, outgoing Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Hon. Godfrey Dyer and incoming TEF Chairman, Ryan Parkes at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held last Wednesday at the AC Marriott Hotel.

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Minister Bartlett Salutes Godfrey Dyer’s 14 Years of Exemplary Service KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, April 30, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has named Ryan Parkes, Group Chief Executive Officer of Island Car Rentals and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), effective May 1, 2026. The appointment, recently approved by Cabinet, was announced at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held on April 22 at the AC Marriott Hotel. In making the announcement, Minister Bartlett also paid tribute to the outgoing TEF Chairman, Hon. Godfrey Dyer, whose 14-year tenure at the helm of the TEF represents the longest record of chairmanship in the fund’s history and one of the longest across government.

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Tourism Recovery Being Driven by Unity – Tourism Partners

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 19, 2021: Stakeholders in the tourism sector have expressed that the recovery of the industry is being driven by the unity among tourism partners, which has been further concretized following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many emphasise that the sector has never been more united.

Bartlett Congratulates Jamaican Recipients of 2021 TripAdvisor Accolades

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 18, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed heartfelt congratulations to the management and staff of several Jamaican hotels that have received major accolades in the prestigious TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2021 Best of the Best Awards.

Minister Bartlett to Participate in Major Global Tourism Tradeshow, FITUR

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 18, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is set to attend the highly anticipated annual international travel and tourism tradeshow, FITUR, which will be conducted in person, in Madrid, Spain from May 19-23. FITUR was the last major global in-person trade fair to take place before the COVID-19 pandemic, and is the first of its kind to return, in a non-virtual format.

Bartlett Calls for United Caribbean Voice Against Vaccine Inequity

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 10, 2021: As regional stakeholders ramp up efforts to woo back tourists and rebuild the sector in the aftermath of the fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has called on Caribbean leaders to raise their voices collectively against the inequitable distribution of vaccines.

Jamaica Leads Multi-Destination Tourism Discussions at WTTC Global Summit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 27, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today convened a high level meeting with regional tourism ministers in Cancun Mexico, to discuss the finalization of arrangements for the implementation of a multi-destination tourism framework and agreement to bolster arrivals.

Bartlett Discusses Investment Opportunities with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 26, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today participated in a very successful meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, to discuss investment opportunities and other possible areas of collaboration between both nations.