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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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Steps Being Taken to Reset the Tourism Sector

WORTHY PARK, St Catherine, Jamaica; Monday, February 8, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has revealed that steps are currently being taken to ‘reset’ the tourism sector to ensure that it benefits even more Jamaicans and fuels greater economic growth, whenever the sector rebounds from the impact of COVID-19. Mr. Bartlett adds that the Ministry of Tourism has embarked upon a series of consultations with key stakeholders, aimed at maximizing the opportunity to reorganize the local tourism industry.

Several Local Entrepreneurs to Benefit From New Artisan Village - Bartlett

FALMOUTH, Trelawny, Jamaica; February 2, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has revealed that more than 60 small and medium sized entrepreneurs are set to reap economic benefits whenever normalcy returns to the tourism sector, as they are slated to secure coveted shop spaces at the modern artisan village being created in Falmouth, Trelawny.

Small Tourism Enterprises and Farmers Receive Major Boost Under REDI II Initiative

ST. ANN, Jamaica; February 1, 2021: Small entrepreneurs in the tourism and agriculture sectors are receiving well needed assistance under a J$52.46 million initiative, developed to assist them in recovering from the economic ravages of COVID-19. The assistance is being provided under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II), which has seen the implementation of a special COVID-19 Resilience and Capacity Building sub-project for Agriculture and Community Tourism Enterprises.

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.

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