Government of Jamaica

News Releases

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.

Featured News Releases

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.”

All News Releases

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.

Jamaica Cares Insurance Programme Lauded by Global Tourism Stakeholders

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 11, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the Jamaica Cares mandatory travel insurance programme has received very positive feedback from global tourism stakeholders. He also outlined that international tourism partners would like to expand the programme globally.

Tourism must get back on track, Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 09, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the industry is a key driver of the Jamaican economy and urges stakeholders to view the unprecedented crisis brought on by the pandemic as a transformational opportunity to help get tourism back on track.

Bartlett Calls for Empathetic Leadership during COVID-19 Pandemic

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 06, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for global policymakers to implement a more empathetic leadership style, while also remaining cautiously optimistic about the future of the industry.

Bartlett Remembers Canadian Tourism Icon Edith Baxter

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 06, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep regret at the passing of long-time friend and industry colleague Edith Baxter, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Canadian publishing group Baxter Media.