Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd right) is joined by Director of the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), Carol Rose-Brown (right) in greeting a portion of the first cohort of executive sous chefs trained and graduated by any Caribbean country outside the chamber of Gordon House ahead of his 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Featured News Releases

Bartlett Declares New Era Built on Trust, Inclusion and Local Prosperity KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 25, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has unveiled a new growth agenda dubbed: Tourism 3.0, describing it as Jamaica’s new development architecture designed to transform tourism from a successful industry into a more inclusive and resilient national economic engine rooted in trust, confidence and shared prosperity. Making his 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation in Gordon House earlier this week, under the theme “Trust and Confidence,” Minister Bartlett positioned Tourism 3.0 as the framework that will guide the next phase of Jamaica’s tourism evolution, one where growth is measured not only by visitor arrivals but by stronger communities, higher local retention, greater resilience and broader economic participation. “Tourism 3.0 is not a slogan. It is a new development architecture for Jamaica,” Bartlett declared.

All News Releases

Tourism Linkages Network to Host Virtual Speed Networking Event

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 29, 2021: The Ministry of Tourism, through its Tourism Linkages Network, will host its highly anticipated annual Speed Networking event on Wednesday, March 31, using a virtual format to connect local suppliers directly with key buyers in the tourism sector.

Tourism Recovery Requires Strong Multi-Level Response and Partnership - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 26, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is urging global and regional policymakers to utilize new approaches, partnerships and a strong multi-level response to aid in the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that this strategy will ensure that the tourism sector becomes more resilient, sustainable, inclusive and competitive.

JCTI to Offer Free Globally Accredited Online Courses Starting April - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 25, 2021: Starting April 2021, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) will be offering, mostly free of charge, four American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) certified courses online, to members of the tourism and hospitality sector. This was revealed recently by Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during the third JCTI Lecture Series, which focused on ‘Tourism & the Law: The Employers’ Duty of Care.’

$6 Million Tourism Linkages Backyard Gardening Project to be Expanded - Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; March 24, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the $6 million tourism linkages backyard gardening project, which has been implemented by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, will be expanded across the island to enable even more Jamaicans to benefit from the tourism sector.

Organizers to Forgo Carnival in Jamaica for April 2021

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 23, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of Carnival in Jamaica will forego the annual road march and related activities for April 2021, until further notice.

Bartlett Calls for Universally Accepted Vaccines That are Interoperable Between Countries

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 19, 2021: Minister of Tourism and Chair of the high-level Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group, that is currently developing an action plan, for the recovery of the cruise and airline industries, Edmund Bartlett, is calling for careful consideration of the universal recognition and interoperability of systems regarding COVID- 19 vaccines.