KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 27, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island earlier this week, for a high-level, multi-country marketing mission spanning South America and Europe, as Jamaica intensifies its strategic thrust to diversify source markets, strengthen airlift and buttress global tourism demand.

The tourism minister is currently in Bogotá, Colombia, where he is leading a three-day Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) marketing blitz across Colombia and Panama, designed to directly accelerate visitor arrivals from Latin America by securing the two critical pillars of tourism growth: airlift and sales. The mission is a targeted, high-impact initiative focused on airline negotiations, trade engagement and market penetration.

On Thursday, February 26, Minister Bartlett held back-to-back strategic meetings with senior executives at Avianca Airlines and Wingo Airlines at their respective headquarters in Bogotá. These discussions were aimed at strengthening partnerships to improve connectivity between Jamaica and key Latin American hubs. The Minister also participated in a working lunch with Jamaica’s Ambassador to Colombia, where discussions focused on diplomatic support for tourism, trade and investment linkages.

The Minister also engaged tourism stakeholders at the ANATO Trade Show, one of Latin America’s most influential travel and tourism exhibitions, providing a platform to promote Jamaica’s tourism product, reinforce travel trade relationships and position the island as a preferred Caribbean destination for Latin American travellers. Minister Bartlett is also slated to meet with high level executives of COPA Airlines on Friday, February 27th at their headquarters in Panama City.

“This mission is about converting interest into action,” said Minister Bartlett. “Latin America is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets globally. By strengthening airlift arrangements and deepening commercial engagement with airlines and travel partners, we are laying the foundation for sustained visitor growth and long-term market resilience,” he added. 

Following his South American engagements, Minister Bartlett will depart for Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, March 1, to represent Jamaica at ITB Berlin 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential travel trade shows, scheduled for March 3–5.

While in Berlin, the tourism minister will undertake an extensive programme of high-level engagements. These include a bilateral meeting with the UN Tourism Secretary-General, participation in the UN Tourism Ministers’ Summit under the theme “Empowering Emerging Destinations: From Potential to Performance,” and a featured speaking engagement on polycrisis management in travel, where he will highlight Jamaica’s recovery and resilience following Hurricane Melissa.

Minister Bartlett will also conduct a series of international media interviews with leading travel trade publications and media outlets, engage tour operators and buyers, including a dedicated greeting session with a Chinese delegation of tour operators. He will also attend strategic industry events such as the Tourism Leaders Dinner, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) World Tourism Leaders’ Summit and International Travel Awards, and an executive dinner with the TUI Group.

“Market diversification is central to Jamaica’s tourism strategy. Our presence in Colombia, Panama and Germany sends a strong signal that Jamaica is open, resilient and ready. These engagements allow us to tell our story directly, build confidence in our recovery, and secure partnerships that will drive arrivals, investment and inclusive growth.”

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

NAIROBI; Kenya; February 19, 2026 – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, on Monday, February 16, delivered a powerful call to action for the global tourism community to move ‘From Crisis to Transformation’ as he addressed the opening of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hosted in partnership with the Government of Kenya and anchored by the Kenyatta University, the conference convened global tourism leaders, policymakers, academics, and private sector stakeholders to examine the urgent need for building resilience in an era of constant disruption.

Speaking under the conference theme ‘From Crisis to Transformation’, Minister Bartlett outlined the overlapping global challenges reshaping tourism, including climate shocks, health-security threats, geopolitical instability, economic volatility, public safety concerns, cybercrime, and the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.

“We gather in a time when disruption is no longer occasional, but constant,” Bartlett stated. “Tourism must not merely survive disruption—tourism must be redesigned to withstand it.” He underscored that tourism is uniquely vulnerable because it depends on confidence. When confidence declines, visitor arrivals, jobs, and livelihoods are immediately affected. “Resilience is not optional. It is a discipline—lived, practiced, tested, and renewed,” he said.

A central focus of this year’s address was the accelerating digital threat landscape. Minister Bartlett warned that misinformation and disinformation can inflict economic damage within hours, undermining a destination’s reputation and traveller confidence.

“A false story can empty hotels. A distorted clip can trigger cancellations. Disinformation weaponizes fear,” he noted. He also stressed that cyber threats—such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and system outages—pose significant operational and reputational risks across the tourism value chain. “Resilience today means defending not only infrastructure, but information space. Not only the physical journey, but the digital journey,” Bartlett said.

Minister Bartlett also renewed his call for the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Fund to support the ongoing work of the GTRCMC and its growing international network of resilience Centres. The proposed Fund would finance rapid technical support in times of crisis; strengthen cybersecurity and data protection systems; build misinformation response capabilities; and support research, early warning systems, and resilience dashboards among other areas.

“If resilience is a global priority, it must also have a global financing instrument,” Bartlett declared. “Let us move from speeches to structures. From recognition to resourcing. From applauding resilience to underwriting resilience.”

Minister Bartlett also reflected on the journey toward establishing Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17 annually, noting that it was built ‘crisis by crisis, lesson by lesson.’ The observance serves as a global checkpoint to ensure preparedness remains central to tourism policy and practice. The annual observance aligns governments, strengthens private sector continuity planning, deepens community safety nets, and empowers research institutions to convert lived experiences into actionable strategies. 

“We are proud of Jamaica’s thought leadership and foresight of our Minister of Tourism which produced the concept of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and ultimately the establishment of Global Tourism Resilience Day,” said Professor Lloyd Walller Executive Director of the GTRCMC.

Minister Bartlett commended Kenya’s forward-thinking leadership in placing research and knowledge at the centre of tourism resilience. He noted that conferences such as the GTRCMC Tourism Resilience Conference play a critical role in turning experience into shared learning, research into practice, and partnership into projects.

For more information about Jamaica and the GTRCMC go to www.visitjamaica.com and www.gtrcmc.org. 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 13, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island today for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will participate in the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo (GTRDCE), scheduled for February 15–18, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The high-level gathering marks a historic milestone, as it represents the first annual international observation of Global Tourism Resilience Day to be hosted outside of Jamaica, and the first to be staged on the African continent. Global Tourism Resilience Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations in 2023, following sustained advocacy spearheaded by Minister Bartlett, positioning Jamaica as the global thought leader on tourism resilience.

“This moment is deeply symbolic for Jamaica and profoundly important for the world,” said Minister Bartlett. “What began as an idea born out of Jamaica’s own vulnerabilities and lived experience has now become a global movement. Hosting this event in Africa, and particularly in Kenya, reflects the shared journey of resilience, transformation and opportunity that connects our nations,” he added. 

Kenya’s role as host is strategically significant, as it was among the first countries to establish a satellite location of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), an institution founded and co-chaired by Minister Bartlett, headquartered at The University of the West Indies, Mona. 

The conference and expo, being held under the theme “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation,” will bring together heads of government, ministers, global policymakers, academics, industry leaders and development partners to examine how tourism can move beyond recovery into sustainable transformation.

Minister Bartlett will deliver keynote addresses, participate in high-level policy panel discussions, and engage in strategic dialogues focused on resilience governance, investment mobilisation, workforce preparedness, data, artificial intelligence and crisis communications. 

The official opening ceremony on February 16 will be led by Minister Bartlett alongside the Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the GTRCMC and Professor John Okumu, Acting Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University.

A major highlight of the conference will be the official launch of Minister Bartlett’s new book, Destination Reputational Resilience, co-authored with Prof. Waller. “This book speaks directly to the realities destinations now face. Resilience today is not only about physical infrastructure or disaster response, but also about trust, credibility and the ability to defend a destination’s reputation in a fast-moving digital world. Jamaica has lived this, and we are sharing that knowledge globally,” Bartlett noted.

“The publication provides a structured, actionable framework for protecting destinations against emerging digital threats, including cyberattacks, misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes and reputational manipulation,” Prof. Waller explained.

In the foreword to the book, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais underscores the urgency of this new frontier, writing:

“Tourism now operates inside a trust economy that is continuously contested… If we treat reputation as infrastructure, built deliberately, defended intelligently, and restored with proof, then we will safeguard the future of tourism in a world that will not become simpler.”

The Global Tourism Resilience Day observance on February 17 will feature ministerial addresses, expert panels on data-driven crisis prevention and AI, youth and women leadership sessions, and a cultural exchange and awards ceremony celebrating global resilience champions.

Minister Bartlett emphasised that Jamaica’s leadership in this space continues to deliver tangible global and national value, saying: “For Jamaicans, this is proof that our ideas matter, our voice carries weight, and our experience can help shape global solutions. Tourism has become one of the most powerful tools for development, transformation and dignity, and resilience is what ensures it continues to serve our people.”

The conference will conclude on February 18 with field learning excursions showcasing model resilient destinations in Kenya, including urban conservation and heritage sustainability initiatives.

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Saturday, February 21, 2026. 

Excellence Moves to Boost Staff Training and Development 

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, February 9, 2026: Spanish investors in the adults-only Excellence Oyster Bay, one of the most luxurious resorts along the north coast corridor, are set to expand their investment in Jamaica’s tourism industry and triple the property’s room count over the next ten years.

The expansion will commence immediately with a major increase in its very popular Beach Bungalows by the end of 2026. Concurrently, the Spanish investors have committed to ensuring the property has a team of highly trained and satisfied staff and ultimately to recruit a general manager from Jamaica.

An elated Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, shared the news yesterday (February 8) after a tour of the 300-room resort just outside of Falmouth and private discussions with the investors. He then announced that Excellence will be adding another four hotels in the area “to bring some 2,000 rooms all told into the next ten years of our development.”

Minister Bartlett said he was also “excited about the policy for the workers. We had a strong discussion about training and developing the capacity of our workers, not just to offer better service but to increase their credentials so that they can offer their services not only in Jamaica, but anywhere in the world as professionals.”

Emphasizing the importance of staff social security, Mr. Bartlett was pleased with the initiative already underway to retrofit an office complex into 60 rooms for workers by the end of this year at a cost of about US$8 million. Staff accommodation will be expanded as the resort undergoes further development and simultaneously increases the number of employees. The Excellence staff members will also have their own playfield and other social amenities. 

Endorsing Minister Bartlett’s comments, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Excellence, Antonio de Montaner, said: “The most important thing for Excellence, not just here but everywhere in the world, is the employees; they have to be comfortable; they have to be in a good place.” He also stressed the importance of having a well-trained staff, as the finest of hotels cannot function on their own.

“We are so proud to be here in Jamaica; we are in paradise,” he expressed, adding, “Jamaica is something amazing, and we have to make it more and more amazing, and people have to know Jamaica.”

He was elated about the reopening of the hotel within a month and a half after sustaining US$50 million in damage from Hurricane Melissa. Mr. de Montaner outlined that staff members were kept employed, and the hotel is now enjoying over 60% occupancy level with a 42% repeat guest rate. “We’re going to continue working hard to bring people to Jamaica,” he pledged even as he expressed appreciation to the government of Jamaica for its support. 

It was outlined that the plan is to open 50 more rooms on the 200-acre property with 45 additional villas by the end of this year and an additional investment of US$25 million. These exclusive private villas will have 24-hour guest services. Each also comes with butler service, kayaks, private beach area, private swimming pool, and a mini bar. “It’s another step for us and for Jamaica. To do this, we’re going to need good employees, which we already have, but we’re going to train more of them,” said Mr. de Montaner.

Though Excellence Oyster Bay is an adult-only hotel, by the end of 2028 or early 2029, “we want to come here with a new brand called Finest, which is a family brand,” Mr. de Montaner revealed.

Sierra Leone to Amplify Youth Leadership on Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Jamaica and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing global tourism resilience, youth leadership and Africa-Caribbean tourism cooperation, following a special meeting hosted yesterday (February 3) by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, alongside Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Tunis.

The meeting, held at Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism in New Kingston, examined Sierra Leone’s plans to observe Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 on February 17 with a youth-focused seminar at the University of Sierra Leone, placing young people at the centre of global conversations on resilience, identity and development. The engagement forms part of Sierra Leone’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Culture and Creativity.

Minister Bartlett again welcomed Minister Tunis to Jamaica and highlighted the deeper significance of her visit, noting that it went beyond diplomacy to reconnect Africa and the Caribbean through shared heritage and forward-looking collaboration.

“Her visit is not only about bilateral relations, but about reconnecting with the roots of our own diaspora,” Minister Bartlett said. “It continues to emphasise the relationship between the mother continent Africa and the Caribbean, and our commitment to building tourism capacity, resilience and institutional strength across the globe,” he added. 

Minister Bartlett further underscored Jamaica’s leadership in resilience, recalling the country’s role in securing United Nations recognition of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually in 2023. He confirmed that the first international observance outside Jamaica will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 17, 2026, with multiple countries activating events worldwide on the same day.

“We are very proud to announce that the first global celebration outside Jamaica will be in Nairobi, Kenya, but Sierra Leone will also add its voice in a meaningful way,” Bartlett noted.

Minister Tunis expressed solidarity with Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa and praised the country’s resilience-driven recovery, while outlining Sierra Leone’s decision to centre its observance on youth empowerment.

“Young people are not products of crisis; they are builders of our future. By hosting this seminar at the University of Sierra Leone, we are creating space for students and young people to speak about what resilience means to them and how it shapes the future global discourse,” Minister Tunis said. 

She added that at least 300 young people are expected to participate and expressed confidence that the observance would evolve into a lasting, impactful initiative. Minister Tunis also confirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to legacy projects, including land already allocated for a Jamaican Cultural Village in Sierra Leone.

In a major additional announcement, Minister Bartlett revealed plans to establish the first Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) satellite location in West Africa, to be inaugurated in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during his attendance at the One Nation Reggae Festival in November 2026.

Executive Director of the GTRCMC, Professor Lloyd Waller, welcomed Sierra Leone into what he described as the global “ecosystem of tourism resilience,” noting that the Centre’s work spans climate resilience, entrepreneurship, wildlife tourism, heritage, geopolitics and emerging cyber threats.

“Tourism is not just a conversation or a wealth generator for a few. It is a development tool – one that creates jobs, supports livelihoods, drives foreign investment and transforms economies. Protecting and enhancing tourism is therefore essential,” he stressed. 

Prof. Waller also shared that the 2026 Global Tourism Resilience Day observance will be a first-ever 24-hour global event, moving across regions from the Middle East to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and North America, and streamed globally.

Minister Bartlett reinforced the transformational power of tourism, noting its central role in Jamaica’s economic evolution. “Tourism has become the successor bedrock economic activity to sugar. It has done what sugar could not, transforming sleepy villages into major commercial centres like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. Because its vulnerabilities are known, its resilience must be celebrated,” Bartlett said. 

The Sierra Leone youth-focused observance will follow Jamaica’s own Youth & Career Expo, jointly hosted by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) on February 13, further reinforcing youth engagement as a cornerstone of tourism resilience.

UN Tourism Names Jamaica Global Resilience Hub                                              

MADRID, Spain; Monday, January 26, 2026: Jamaica closed three days of engagements at FITUR 2026 with measurable momentum behind its tourism rebound: stronger alignment with major hotel partners to speed up reopening timelines, deeper coordination with key airlift and marketing partners, and expanding investor interest in aviation and destination development. The week’s most significant outcome came on Day 3 of the international tourism tradeshow held in Madrid, Spain, when UN Tourism named Jamaica as the Tourism Resilience Hub of the world — a global endorsement of the country’s leadership in crisis readiness and recovery. 

The engagements advanced Jamaica’s strategy to protect livelihoods, restore room stock, strengthen airlift performance, and mobilise investment for resilient infrastructure and destination reimagining, particularly across the eastern and southern parishes.

“Jamaica is not simply recovering—we are rebuilding with purpose,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “We are inviting investment from CAF - development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and private-sector partners to accelerate resilient infrastructure and a reimagined tourism product. Resilience is now the foundation of investor confidence and community protection,” he added.

Jamaica used FITUR to press for faster reopening schedules and stronger worker-support mechanisms as major properties restore inventory. In meetings with Grupo Piñero and Hyatt leadership, Jamaica highlighted the economic drag from the closure of approximately 1,000 rooms in the Montego Bay area and outlined practical requirements to accelerate reopening — including the mobilisation of skilled labour, improved import logistics, and enabling administrative measures. The parties agreed to prioritise earlier timelines where feasible and advanced a follow-up visit to Jamaica involving Hyatt, Bahía and Tortuga interests to confirm reopening schedules by property and explore expansion plans.

In a separate engagement with Bahía Príncipe, Jamaica advanced the Local First strategy to deepen local procurement and increase tourism dollar retention through stronger linkages. Bahía indicated a phased reopening intention of approximately 50% of room stock (about 650 rooms) by May, with the remainder targeted by November, alongside discussions on market communications timed to restore confidence and support occupancy. Jamaica will formally encourage an earlier opening where possible, given the employment and economic implications.

Jamaica also received updates from Royalton on reopening and expansion planning, including measures aimed at protecting workforce continuity and strengthening training and upskilling options during downtime.

With room stock gradually returning, Jamaica also moved to secure tighter airlift and demand-building coordination. In talks with TUI, CEO Sebastian Ebel shared a global outlook shaped by market uncertainty and the company’s expansion into growth corridors including Eastern Europe and South America. Jamaica’s team secured agreement for deeper coordination with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Europe team, including stronger alignment on digital marketing and emerging platforms.

“Recovery is demand plus supply—inventory must return, but confidence must return faster,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. “At FITUR we strengthened airlift and marketing alignment in Europe, sharpened our digital focus, and advanced the partnerships that keep Jamaica visible and bookable as rooms come back on stream,” he continued.

TUI also expressed interest in reviewing greenfield hotel investment opportunities, particularly sites close to airports.

Jamaica also advanced investment discussions beyond hotels, including airport modernisation and development opportunities aligned with the Government’s destination reimagining agenda. In an engagement with the Reyes Group, Jamaica reviewed proposals for modernising airport systems and highlighted opportunities including airports in Westmoreland and Clarendon, with follow-up engagement to be advanced at the appropriate ministerial level.

Jamaica also promoted new development opportunities across eastern and southern parishes, consistent with the Government’s strategy to diversify the tourism footprint through sustainable, community-linked projects.

On Day 3, Minister Bartlett presented Jamaica’s tourism recovery case and the need for resilience investment, pointing to national stability and the discipline shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, when approximately 1.5 million people were left without basic necessities for nearly 60 days. He also referenced Jamaica’s leadership in establishing February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day, with a proposed observance in Nairobi, Kenya next month.

“UN Tourism’s announcement confirms what we have been building for years: Jamaica is a global centre for resilience thinking and recovery action,” Minister Bartlett added. “As the Tourism Resilience Hub of the world, we will help to shape the tools, partnerships and best practices that enable destinations to recover faster and grow stronger after shocks,” he noted.

In the coming weeks, Jamaica will progress follow-up engagements to accelerate reopening timelines, expand worker-support solutions aligned with sector stability, coordinate investor site visits and project scoping, and advance a resilience-focused financing pipeline with partners including CAF.

Tourism Minister to Make Strategic Visits to New York and Spain

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, January 14, 2026: Jamaica’s aggressive global marketing drive to rebuild and reposition its tourism sector following the passage of Hurricane Melissa intensified today, as Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island to lead a high-level marketing blitz which picks up in New York, to be followed by Jamaica’s participation in the prestigious FITUR international tourism tradeshow in Madrid, Spain.

The New York mission, which runs from January 15–17, forms part a multi-market campaign aimed at boosting visitor confidence, strengthening trade and media relationships, and accelerating Jamaica’s tourism recovery. Minister Bartlett is accompanied by a team from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and will return to the island on Saturday, January 17, ahead of his departure for Madrid, Spain on Monday, January 19. He is scheduled to return from FITUR on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

“This marketing blitz is about more than restoring numbers; it is about restoring livelihoods, momentum and confidence surrounding our tourism sector, on which the Jamaican people depend. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, we have taken decisive steps to stabilise and rebuild the sector, and now we are telling Jamaica’s recovery story directly to our most important partners and markets,” Minister Bartlett emphasised. 

While in New York, Minister Bartlett will engage major US media entities, travel advisors and industry influencers. On Thursday, January 15, he will tour NBC Studios and participate in activities surrounding the TODAY Show, followed by a high-level media luncheon with representatives from media outlets including Forbes, Ebony, Fodor’s Travel, TravelPulse, TimeOut and leading Caribbean and diaspora platforms. That evening, he will host a travel agent engagement function, strengthening ties with frontline sellers of Destination Jamaica.

On Friday, January 16, the Minister will hold targeted meetings with senior editors Billy Cohen from AFAR and Grace White from Essence and record a podcast interview with Pauline Frommer of The Frommer’s Travel Show, further amplifying Jamaica’s recovery narrative across influential platforms.

Following the New York mission, Minister Bartlett will lead Jamaica’s delegation to the 46th staging of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), one of the world’s premier tourism tradeshows, being held in Madrid from January 21–25. FITUR is the leading platform for inbound and outbound tourism for Ibero-America and a critical space for engaging global investors, tour operators, airlines and travel media.

“This signals the intensification of Jamaica’s recovery and rebuilding initiative following hurricane Melissa,” Minister Bartlett noted. “Despite the impact of the hurricane, Jamaica performed strongly in 2025, and our presence at FITUR allows us to convert resilience into renewed growth by securing partnerships, investments and market confidence,” he added. 

During FITUR, the Minister will hold high-level meetings with representatives of UN Tourism, the TUI Group, Grupo Piñero (operators of Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts), Hyatt Hotels, and development firm Invertol, among others. He will also participate in several consumer and trade media interviews to further position Jamaica for a successful winter and summer season ahead.

“These engagements are essential to ensuring that tourism continues to drive economic growth, job creation and opportunities for our people. Jamaica is rebuilding with purpose, and the world will hear clearly that we are open, resilient and ready,” the tourism minister stressed. 

This two-stop mission represents the latest phase of a wider international marketing drive that will also include engagements in London, South America, Canada and India, as Jamaica continues to restore its tourism industry and protect the livelihoods it sustains.

Sunset at the Palms Resort Secures Fourth Place in USA Today Ranking 

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, January 8, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded the achievement of S Hotel Montego Bay on being named the Best All-inclusive Caribbean Resort for 2026 by USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Awards. Minister Bartlett has also commended Sunset at the Palms Resort, Negril on securing fourth place in the same USA Today ranking. 

Minister Bartlett said “this is a tremendous accomplishment and welcome news as the tourism sector recovers following the passage of hurricane Melissa. To be able to remain top of mind among travellers and secure such prestigious accolades is proof of the resilience of our local properties, including S Hotel Montego Bay and Sunset at the Palms, and their continued commitment to always providing excellent service regardless of the circumstances.”  

His comments came yesterday (January 7) as he gave the keynote address at the launch of recording artiste Suga’s remake of Bobby Bloom’s global hit song, “Montego Bay” and the celebration of S Hotel Montego Bay’s seventh anniversary. The occasion was marked by the announcement of S Hotel Montego Bay securing the coveted award.

In response owner Chris Issa said “we didn’t know how well we were going to do but we were really hopeful. Especially with the after effects of Melissa, we felt that if we won this award it would be a good boost for Jamaica, for our tourism industry, and we’re so happy that we did.” Congratulating the hotel’s’ team for making it possible, Mr. Issa also pointed out that this was the hotel’s third international tourism award in just three months.

Recording artiste Suga was also commended for her version of “Montego Bay”, which is supported by VP Records and Penthouse Records, with a highly professional video that promotes the iconic city.

Minister Bartlett also revealed that a major transformation of the waterfront from Montego Bay’s cruise ship pier in the west to Falmouth in the east, is being explored under a bold plan to reimagine Montego Bay, to enable it “to be the most significant tourism destination in the entire Caribbean.”

In outlining the new vision for the area, Minister Bartlett gave an assurance that “there will be no single destination within the Caribbean area that will have the kind and quality of product that Montego Bay will have when we are finished.”

The reimagined look of Montego Bay will include two mega hotels in the Rose Hall area, creating what Mr. Bartlett described as “the casino crescent of the Caribbean” and the world’s first innovation township to be developed in the nearby community of Barrett Town. He said discussions with a leading international architect with Jamaican roots, but who was not named, commence today.

In response to concerns that post Hurricane Melissa only 42 percent of Montego Bay’s room stock has been reopened, with the others scheduled for November, Minister Bartlett urged understanding of what is being done, promising that “we’re coming back with a bigger, better and more exciting experiential tourism offering that is going to drive Jamaica to another dimension in growth and development.”

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s aggressive marketing drive to fully rebuild tourism post hurricaneMelissa, picks up on Wednesday, January 14, when Minister Bartlett will leave the island to lead a team on a marketing blitz beginning in New York; to be followed by a trip to attend the FITUR international tourism tradeshow in Spain; a visit to London; three days in South America before going on to Canada and then to India.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island today for a three-day strategic mission to New York aimed at accelerating Jamaica’s tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa. 

With the United States as Jamaica’s primary source market, the mission will provide direct engagement with major media outlets and key trade publications to ensure continued stability and growth in visitor arrivals.  

“Sustained engagement with our key partners in the United States is critical as we enter the Winter Tourist Season,” said Minister Bartlett. “The purpose of these engagements, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, is to stabilize and stimulate our main market. These efforts are vital for our tourism direct revenue inflows and the essential linkages tourism provides to other economic sectors.”  

The delegation’s itinerary focuses on two primary objectives: market reinforcement and inventory restoration. Minister Bartlett will be engaging in an intensive media blitz, including televised interviews on NBC’s New York Live, FOX WNYW’s Good Night New York and WPIX New York Living.  The broadcasts will be complemented  by strategic meetings with The New York Times Travel Editor Amy Virshup and Elle Magazine’s Claire Stern Milch as well as a media luncheon featuring leading industry publications such as Travel Weekly, Latte Luxury Travel and Travel Pulse. 

By highlighting Jamaica’s hurricane recovery and global tourism resilience, the mission underscores that the destination remains "open for business" and ready to welcome visitors.

Reflecting on the progress made since the storm, Minister Bartlett noted, "Our recovery has exceeded expectations. Jamaica is not just back; we are stronger and more resilient. The dedication of our tourism workers, many of whom were personally affected by the hurricane, exemplifies the true spirit of Jamaica. Every visitor who chooses Jamaica during this time directly supports the rebuilding of communities and the restoration of livelihoods."  

The mission comes on the heels of the official start of the 2025/26 Winter Tourist Season on December 15. Currently, approximately 70% of Jamaica’s hotel inventory is operational, with all major airports and attractions fully open to the public. To date, Jamaica has already welcomed over 300,000 visitors in the six weeks following the hurricane, signalling a robust rebound for the industry.  

The Minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Donovan White, Director of Tourism, and Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). They are scheduled to return to the island on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme (THARP) Being Introduced

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, December 15, 2025: With 70 percent of the island’s tourism assets ready for today’s December 15 official reopening of the tourism sector, following the impact of hurricane Melissa, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is crediting the indomitable spirit of tourism workers for making it happen, noting that “the recovery cannot be complete without the workers of our industry.” 

In hailing the contribution of the workers, Minister Bartlett outlined that “I visited the various hotels and attractions as they were coming back onstream and we heard the stories of our tourism workers and partners who all rallied around to ensure that we could meet the December 15 deadline for the reopening of the industry.”

Noting that the reopening also coincides with the start of the winter tourist season, Minister Bartlett lauded the support provided by tourism businesses to their workers who have been impacted by Melissa. Mr. Bartlett also underscored that “to date some US$15 million in support has been provided by industry partners in providing care packages, loan arrangements and grants to tourism workers to help them to repair their houses and to survive during this period.”

While giving an extensive review of the industry to stakeholders at an annual staff appreciation breakfast at the Norman Manley International Airport today, Minister Bartlett revealed that “we have established a special programme called THARP; that is the Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme, which will have over $2 billion available to start providing grant support to tourism workers who have been affected, primarily those who have lost roofs and homes.”

He later explained that “tomorrow we will launch that programme at the Pegasus Hotel…, and overall more than 5,000 workers will benefit from that initiative.”

Minister Bartlett also explained that tourism partners in Canada successfully staged the Harmonies of Hope Hurricane Melissa Aid Concert on December 5, which “raised some 2.5 million Canadian dollars to assist workers and tourism communities across Jamaica.”

Expressing confidence of the full recovery of the industry, Minister Bartlett disclosed that within the last four weeks, Jamaica has welcomed some 300,000 visitors, including 180,000 stopover arrivals and 120,000 cruise passengers. He added that “we brought in 20,800 tourists since Thursday of last week to Sunday December 14.”

Looking ahead, he anticipates full recovery soon, given the goodwill that Jamaica enjoys globally and the confidence in the destination. He outlined that “COPA Airlines is increasing its service to Montego Bay to 10 flights per week, in addition to its five flights to Kingston, giving Jamaica a greater presence in the South American tourism market.”

Mr. Bartlett also projects more flights out of the United Kingdom with Virgin, TUI and British Airways as well as Condor out of Germany each having “a strong presence.”

The destination is also targeting the US, recognized as Jamaica’s largest market, for increased business, and later this week Minister Bartlett and Director of Tourism, Donovan White will spearhead a major marketing blitz in the New York tristate area. This comes on the heels of a two-day marketing trip to Canada last week.

“We will be all over the globe as we try to ensure that within a short period of time the growth trajectory of tourism in Jamaica will be met,” said Minister Bartlett. He assured “the partners who are prepared to join the process as we move on with the recovery, we are with you.”