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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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Tourism Awareness Week to Place Emphasis on Rural Development - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 24, 2020: The Ministry of Tourism, its agencies and industry partners will seek to further raise awareness about the transformative impact of tourism on rural communities through the observance of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW), from September 27 – October 3.

Minister Bartlett Welcomes New JHTA President

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 22, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed newly elected President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Clifton Reader. Reader was elected on Friday, September 18, during the JHTA’s 59th annual general meeting, which was hosted virtually. He succeeded Omar Robinson, who served in the capacity for the last four years.

Tourism Ministry to Launch Tourism Supplies Hub - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry will be developing a Tourism Supplies Hub that will help to position Jamaica as the premier logistics centre in the region. The hub will focus on training and certification of tourism workers, serving as suppliers for cruise and airlines; and resilience and technology support.

Organizers to Forgo Carnival in Jamaica 2020

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 18, 2020: ourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today announced that Carnival in Jamaica organizers will forego its annual road march and related activities until April 11, 2021.

New Ambulance to Boost Health Security for Visitors and Locals, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 3, 2020: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says the donation of a brand-new ambulance by the Tourism Enhancement Fund to the Negril Fire station will boost health security for visitors and locals alike.

SMTEs Have Key Role to Play in Rejuvenating the Economy - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 28, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs), have a key role to play in reviving the economy, in the aftermath of the fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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