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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Bartlett Consoles Smith Family on the Passing of Transportation Pioneer Ralph Smith

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 29, 2021: Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep regret at the passing of tourism and transportation pioneer, Ralph Smith.

Prime Minister & Tourism Minister Welcome Investment in New Negril Attraction

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 28, 2021: Prime Minister, Andrew Holness and Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett have welcomed the latest investment of just under US$1.5 million in the tourism sector’s latest innovative attraction, the Red Stripe Experience at Ricks Café, Negril.

Jamaica Boosts COVID-19 Testing Capacity to Meet Increased Demand - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 22, 2021: Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica has bolstered its COVID-19 testing infrastructure to meet the growing demand for such tests, driven by new travel requirements in major tourism source markets.

Bartlett Congratulates Adam Stewart on Being Named Executive Chairman of SRI

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 19, 2021: Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has extended heartfelt congratulations to renowned hotelier, Adam Stewart, on his appointment as Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), following the recent passing of his father, business mogul, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.

Minister Bartlett Names Special Task Force to Boost COVID-19 Testing Capacity

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, January 13, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has named a special task force to spearhead efforts to boost Jamaica’s COVID-19 testing capacity, in light of the growing demand for such tests, fuelled by new travel requirements in key tourism source markets.

Jamaica to Ramp up COVID-19 Testing Capacity - Minister Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, January 12, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has revealed that urgent steps are being taken to ramp up Jamaica’s COVID-19 testing capacity, amid reports of expected changes in testing requirements by one of the country’s largest tourism source markets - the United States of America.