News Releases

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.

Featured News Releases

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.”

All News Releases

Tourism Demand Study shows need for J$391.6 Billion in Agricultural and Manufacturing Goods, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 17, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says data from a recent demand study shows the need for J$391.6 Billion in goods from the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The break out shows a demand for goods of J$352 Billion for manufacturing and J$39.6 Billion for agriculture.

Jamaica Rum Festival to be Marketed as a Tourism Product

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 16, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that the Jamaica Rum Festival (JRF) will be packaged and marketed as a tourism product and sold to potential visitors to the island.

Plans in High Gear for UNWTO Conference on Resilience and Innovation

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 15, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says plans are in high gear for Jamaica to host the first ever United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Summit on Innovation and Resilience Management, in Montego Bay this May.

Tourism Minister Moves to Declare Port Royal as Prescribed Area under the JTB Act

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 13, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says he will be putting measures in place to declare Port Royal as a prescribed area, under the Jamaica Tourist Board Act. This move should ensure a safe and hassle-free environment for tourists, as it would allow police additional remit to handle harassers.

Ocho Rios Number 1 Port in Jamaica, contributing 40% of total arrivals in 2019

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann; January 10, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says Ocho Rios has emerged as the number one port in the country, having contributed forty percent of total visitor arrivals in 2019.

Cruise Passengers to Receive Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 09, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says passengers onboard the Norwegian Bliss, which is set to dock in Ocho Rios tomorrow, will all receive a cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) Coffee on arrival.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm