Government of Jamaica

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News Releases

PS in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith (2nd right) engages in a lively discussion with Bishop Everton Lawrence of Faith Temple Assemblies of God (left), Junior Minister of Tourism and Montego Bay High School student, ThaeJadore Kerr (2nd left) and member of the Board of Directors for Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Tricia-Ann Bicarie, following yesterday’s (September 27) Thanksgiving Church Service to mark World Tourism Day and kickstart Tourism Awareness Week 2026, which runs from Sept 27 – Oct 3.

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AI and Other Digital Technology Being Used to Transform Tourism Sector - Bartlett

Thanksgiving Church Service Kickstarts Tourism Awareness Week 2026 MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 28, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has stressed that artificial intelligence and other digital technology are being used to strategically transform Jamaica’s tourism sector. This as the Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and industry stakeholders, joined global partners in marking the annual UN-Tourism backed World Tourism Day (WTD), with a thanksgiving church service yesterday (September 27). The service also officially kick-started Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2026, being observed from September 27 to October 3, under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” in keeping with the theme selected by UN Tourism for WTD. In a message read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, Minister Bartlett said the ministry was “actively leveraging AI and digital technology to modernise the sector through key initiatives such as real-time concierges, deploying multilingual digital concierges, and structured content to optimise visitor bookings, as well as predictive analytics.”
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Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right), discusses the phased reopening of the tourism sector with two team members of Chukka Caribbean Adventures (second left and centre) during a stop at Dunn’s River Falls, which formed part of the Tourism Recovery Tour of Ocho Rios on Thursday, November 20, 2025. They are joined by President of the JHTA, Christopher Jarrett (left), and Chairman of the Tourism Recovery Task Force and Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, John Byles.

New $1 Billion Fund Established to Assist Tourism Workers Impacted by Melissa

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, November 24, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that a special fund, valued at over $1 Billion, has been established to assist tourism workers who have been negatively impacted by hurricane Melissa. The Minister made the announcement as he led a tourism recovery tour of Ocho Rios recently, which highlighted the phased reopening of Ocho Rios hotels, attractions and local businesses, as well as various responsible and people-centred recovery efforts. Minister Bartlett outlined that "the Government of Jamaica is putting $600 million, along with the private sector which is contributing some $400 million, in creating a fund of over a $1 billion for the tourism workers housing and other rehabilitation needs." Mr. Bartlett explained that “this blended approach to funding will enable Destination Jamaica to deploy relief resources more efficiently, by capitalizing on long established public-private sector partnerships.”
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Bartlett Thanks Tourism Partners for Supporting Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Efforts

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, November 7, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep gratitude to the island’s tourism partners, including two of Jamaica’s leading cruise tourism stakeholders, for their generous support of national relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa. His comments come as the global tourism industry rallies in solidarity with the destination during this critical period of recovery. Through the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee — “Jamaica Tourism Cares,” and with the support of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), major partners Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group have made significant contributions to national recovery efforts being coordinated by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Reflecting a strong spirit of partnership and humanitarian support, Carnival Horizon made a special relief call to Ocho Rios on November 4, 2025, delivering thousands of essential supplies including bottled water, baby food, diapers, canned goods, cereal, and hygiene products.
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Minister Bartlett (L) greets a hotel front desk worker (R).

Minister Bartlett Targets Full Tourism Restart by December 15, 2025

Bartlett Activates Recovery Task Force and Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, October 30, 2025: In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has set a firm target for Jamaica’s tourism industry to be fully back in operation by December 15, 2025. To deliver on that goal, the Ministry has activated a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to synchronise public and private sector action. “Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” said Minister Bartlett. “Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence,” he added.
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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) in discussion on the preparation of the sector for the passage of Hurricane Melissa with Senior Tourism Executives (L-R) David Dobson, Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Tourism, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Jenniffer Griffith, State Minister, Hon Tova Hamilton, Executive Director TEF, Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director TPDCo, Wade Mars as well as stakeholders from the JHTA online.

Jamaica's Tourism Sector Prepares as Hurricane Melissa Approaches

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Jamaica's tourism industry is showcasing its resilience and crisis management capabilities as it prepares for Hurricane Melissa, with Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, highlighting the sector's comprehensive preparedness systems that will be activated. Minister Bartlett emphasized that Jamaica's proven track record in preparedness positions the destination to maintain its reputation for visitor safety and operational excellence even during challenging weather conditions. “Our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises is what continues to set Jamaica apart as a world-class destination,” Minister Bartlett stated. “Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica's tourism success. We have learnt from experience that preparedness is the foundation of recovery.”
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A meteorological map of Hurricane Melissa's path while it was still a tropical storm.

Bartlett Urges Tourism Stakeholders to Prepare for Impending Weather System

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is urging all tourism stakeholders, industry partners and visitors across the island to take every necessary precaution as Tropical Storm Melissa continues its slow approach toward Jamaica. Minister Bartlett noted that while the weather system’s path remains uncertain at this time, the Ministry is working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, and other relevant agencies to ensure the sector’s preparedness and safety. “Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica’s tourism success,” Minister Bartlett said. “We have learnt from experience that preparedness is the foundation of recovery. As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches, I urge all our stakeholders, including hoteliers, attraction owners, transportation operators, and our hospitable tourism workers, to initiate their internal disaster risk management systems and ensure that safety remains the top priority,” he added.
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Seated, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) with Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) (L) and Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU. Sharing in the moment are standing L-R, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Donnette Chin-Loy, Chancellor TMU and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada. The occasion was the tour of the University to discuss tourism opportunities and partnership.

Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation to Partner with Toronto Metropolitan University to Elevate Tourism Workforce Development

TORONTO, Canada; Thursday October 8, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced that initial discussions have started to have the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) collaborate to develop comprehensive training and certification programs for tourism professionals across Jamaica. This groundbreaking partnership will aim to strengthen the capabilities of Jamaica's tourism workforce by providing world-class professional development opportunities that align with international industry standards. The collaboration will leverage TMU's extensive expertise in hospitality and tourism education alongside JCTI's deep understanding of the Caribbean tourism landscape. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to building a highly skilled, globally competitive tourism workforce,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “By working with Toronto Metropolitan University, we're bringing internationally recognized training standards to Jamaica while ensuring our programs reflect the unique strengths of Caribbean hospitality.”
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