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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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Jamaica Wins Top Accolades at World Travel Awards 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 30, 2020: Efforts by various government ministries and tourism partners to introduce robust COVID-19 health and safety protocols to facilitate the safe re-opening of the tourism sector, continue to bear fruit, as Jamaica has been named the World’s Leading Family, Cruise and Wedding Destination at the 27th annual World Travel Awards. Several leading Jamaican tourism entities have also won major accolades.

Minister Bartlett Lauds JHTA’s COVID-19 Ambassador Programme

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 26, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) for their new COVID-19 Ambassador Programme and has given his assurance that the Ministry of Tourism will continue to provide tangible support towards the initiative.

Health and Wellness Key to Driving Tourism Industry Post COVID - Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; November 19, 2020: Health and wellness tourism has been identified as a key area that will help to drive growth in Jamaica’s tourism industry moving forward, in light of the new norm created in the global travel and hospitality market, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism Linkages Network to Host Major Spa Standards Workshop - Bartlett

Kingston, Jamaica; November 13, 2020: As part of efforts to encourage the adoption of national and international standards by spas across the island, the Tourism Linkages Network will be hosting a free two-day Spa Standards Workshop, beginning next Monday, November 16, 2020. The workshop will seek to sensitize the industry about the Linkages Network’s newly developed COVID-19 Safety Manual for Jamaican Spas, which is the first of its kind in the region.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett wins Gusi Peace Prize

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 13, 2020: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett was yesterday awarded the prestigious Gusi Peace prize from the Gusi Foundation of Manila, Philippines.

Bartlett Joins Discussions on Developing a Global Tourism Recovery Plan

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 12, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett recently participated in a global ministerial panel discussion on rethinking the global travel and tourism industry with a comprehensive recovery plan, which encourages innovation and investment to rebuild destinations.

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