KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 26, 2025:The Ministry of Tourism is recording unprecedented success in youth engagement, innovation, and skills training as it accelerates efforts to make tourism a dynamic engine of opportunity for all Jamaicans. This was underscored by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament recently. Minister Bartlett, outlined a series of groundbreaking accomplishments under the theme “Thrive in 2025: Linking Tourism to Every Jamaican’s Success.”
One of the clearest signs of this inclusive vision is the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) Tourism Innovation Incubator, which Minister Bartlett described as a “remarkable success.” The 2024 cohort received 222 applications between April 12 and May 6, representing a 553% increase compared to 2022. From those, nineteen outstanding teams advanced, developing cutting-edge business ideas spanning virtual reality experiences, underwater tourism, transportation innovations, sustainability solutions, and AI-powered visitor personalization tools.
“These entrepreneurs have participated in an intensive boot camp in partnership with TechBeach Retreat. They focused on digital prototyping, business development, and market research to prepare for the successful commercialization of their innovations,” Minister Bartlett noted. He highlighted that the programme culminated in a pitch event where entrepreneurs engaged potential investors and partners to turn their ideas into reality.
Among the standout success stories is Dr. Duane Chambers, winner of TEF’s 2023 Tourism Innovation Incubator, who used his healthcare background to launch Caribbean Front Desk, a platform that unites cultural and medical wellness. “Caribbean Front Desk revitalizes Jamaica’s wellness identity by driving measurable economic benefit through wellness tourist spending and business opportunities for local providers. In essence, the Incubator has facilitated the transition from concept to execution, positioning Caribbean Front Desk as a flagship innovation in Jamaica’s tourism transformation,” said Minister Bartlett.
Equally significant are the Ministry’s achievements in human capital development, led by the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), a division of TEF. Minister Bartlett noted that since its inception in 2017, “the JCTI has certified over 20,000 workers through internationally benchmarked certification in partnership with Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA), HEART NSTA Trust, American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), and American Culinary Federation (ACF).”
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the JCTI registered 3,100 candidates, of which 2,746 earned certification, reflecting an outstanding 89% pass rate. “No destination can succeed without skilled, professional, and passionate people delivering exceptional experiences to visitors,” the tourism minister affirmed.
Bartlett further noted that various forms of certification were earned across multiple institutions: 1,995 through the AHLEI and the National Restaurant Association; 686 through HEART NSTA Trust, and 65 through the ACF. “Our Guest Service Gold programme produced 1,289 Certified Guest Service Professionals. This shows our commitment to elevating the visitor experience through service excellence,” Minister Bartlett reported.
The tourism minister also revealed that TEF’s Summer Internship Programme continues to play a key role in bridging the gap between education and employment. “In 2024, we received over 16,000 applications and successfully placed over 1,120 interns with 167 employers. These young people gained valuable industry experience and professional certifications that prepare them for leadership roles in Jamaica’s tourism future,” Minister Bartlett disclosed.
