GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, March 6, 2025: As passenger traffic through Jamaica’s seaports and airports continues to rise, demanding greater attention to speed and efficiency, tourism stakeholders have revealed that Internet technology is playing an increasing role in boosting efficiency at these crucial locations.

Insight into how the Internet has been enhancing service delivery, specifically at the cruise shipping ports and Sangster International Airport (SIA), was provided during the recently held 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo at the Princess Grand Jamaica resort in Hanover.

A panel of experts exploring the topic “Utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) for Enhanced Service Delivery” zoomed in on its transformative impact on tourism, “from enhancing guest experiences through personalized services, to improving operational efficiencies and safety.” It was underscored that IoT refers to a network of physical devices that can transfer data to one another without human intervention.

Executive Director of e-Gov Jamaica, Anika Shuttleworth said tech analysts have projected that over 41.6 billion IoT devices are currently in use globally. She pointed out that “the Internet of Things is actually a very important space because it means connecting devices all the way through the human value chain.” She said a lot of data was being collected through the IoT and raised the question of what was being done with all that data. 

Citing examples of digital transformation and the use of IoT to improve the passenger experience at local airports, Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports, Shane Munroe highlighted self-service kiosks. He stressed their use to streamline passenger check-in processing systems, noting that “self-service is now the most popular way for passengers to check in. You see that continuing to evolve throughout the industry.”

SIA has also implemented interactive way finding through kiosks with QR Codes that give passengers a map to navigate their way throughput the airport. Also, there are sensors throughout the airport that monitor wait-time in the streaming, immigration and customs processes. “Other areas that we’re using IoT devices include environmental sensors that can adjust air-conditioning based on humidity and temperature, camera systems with video analytics, queue management as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors that anonymously track passenger flow for data analysis,” disclosed Mr. Munroe.

He explained that a key objective is “the use of IoT and integration of all of this data into an operations centre for efficiency and for predicting peak travel times.”

On the issue of cruise ship ports, Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts said a recent case study determined that the IoT “has the potential to change the dynamics of the industry, personalizing services for tourists and guests, cost savings, increased productivity, greater efficiency and customized and differentiated services.”

She explained that JAMVAC had implemented a wireless machine at the ports that gives real time alerts with guests being able to share their feedback with the simple press of a smiley face emoji button which “helps to eliminate blind spots, discover some of the most burning issues and implement best practices to improve customer experience.”

Mrs. Roberts said JAMVAC aims for a 98% approval rating from cruise passengers disembarking the ports and with onsite manning of the system any problem that arises is dealt with expeditiously with redress given where warranted.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 28, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Mr. Lionel Reid, a distinguished leader and long-serving executive within Jamaica’s tourism sector. Mr. Reid, who passed away this morning, dedicated decades of his life to the development of Jamaica’s tourism industry, serving in key leadership roles at Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), a public body of the Ministry of Tourism.

Reflecting on his contributions, Minister Bartlett hailed Mr. Reid as a visionary and an ardent champion of Jamaica’s tourism sector. “Tourism has lost a great stalwart. A gentleman, urbane, and sophisticated. His sense of correctness and diligence to duty was unparalleled,” Minister Bartlett said. 

Mr. Reid’s service to Jamaica’s tourism sector was marked by transformative leadership. He first served as President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) from 1993 to 1997 before assuming the role of Executive Director of JAMVAC from 2008 to 2012. He later returned as Chairman of JAMVAC from 2016 to 2018, playing an instrumental role in shaping Jamaica’s airlift strategy. 

Among his most enduring contributions was his pivotal role in securing Jamaica’s air connectivity with the United States following the cessation of Air Jamaica’s operations. Minister Bartlett underscored his impact, noting that “to his eternal legacy will be ascribed Jamaica’s strong airlift security. As chairman and Executive Director of JAMVAC, along with John Lynch, the then executive chairman of the JTB, Lionel played a leading role in the negotiations with American Airlines to future-proof our air connectivity with the USA, our most significant market. This will never be erased.” 

Minister Bartlett extended his deepest condolences on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies, as well as the wider tourism fraternity to Mr. Reid’s family, friends, and colleagues. “My deepest and most sincere condolences to his dear widow Vonnie and the children, as well as the huge extended tourism family. RIP my friend Lionel.”

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, February 27, 2025: While touting artificial intelligence (AI) as a useful tool for tourism, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White is advising global industry stakeholders that “the human element of travel is irreplaceable.”

Mr. White was among a panel exploring the topic “Harnessing AI for Tourism Resilience” with the focus on the impact of AI in fortifying the tourism sector against various challenges” at the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference, held recently at the Princess Grand Jamaica resort. 

Taking it from the position of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Mr. White’s presentation looked at AI and travel, AI and tourism, predictive analytics, crisis management and sustainability. He said since its emergence, the tourism industry has used AI to reduce cost, streamline operations and it has been transforming the industry, and at all stages has given useful tools to make the travel process seamless. Identifying areas in which certain tools have benefitted the travel trade, he singled out the AI Travel Agent as being, perhaps one of the most interesting tools.

He said these digital agents can assist with complex travel requests, search online platforms for the best deals, make hotel recommendations and develop itineraries. “What we have found however, is that whilst some travellers are finding this a very useful tool, they’re still doing their intelligence of researching on their own through the online travel forums, working with trusted travel advisors and visiting the destination’s website for recommendations,” he informed.

Underscoring that the human element was irreplaceable, he pointed out that “only humans can provide insights into particularities like the best time to visit a location for an excursion; who at the hotel mixes the best drinks or offers the best rates through personal contacts.” He said AI won’t give those deliberate responses “so authenticity is still an important aspect in the travel planning process and we don’t see that disappearing any time soon.” 

Mr. White identified many key areas in which AI is being utilized in Jamaica’s tourism industry, including automated kiosks equipped with biometric face scanners at the international airports in Kingston and Montego Bay, allowing for border agents to be freed up to deal with more serious border related security tasks. At the end of 2024 over 100 passport control kiosks and 15 e-Gates had been installed at both airports.

He added that the JTB’s AI-powered Chatbot which acts as a virtual travel specialist on visitjamaica.com delivers 24-hour customer assistance to potential visitors, with users being able to connect to a live agent. Mr. White said the Chatbot can now converse in ten languages; “still, there’s enormous potential for AI that is yet to be realized.” The JTB is now building an audio AI tool that it hopes to bring to market this year.

In terms of analytics, Mr. White said AI can help to forecast future trends, demand, customer preferences, enable proactive decision making, research optimizations and “this enhances our ability to cater to evolving traveller’s needs and stay competitive.”

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Wednesday, February 26, 2025:  – Jamaica welcomed and honour the volunteer whose act of kindness helped hurdler Hansle Parchment make it to his event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he went on to win gold in the 110m hurdles. Ms. Teiyana Kawashima Stojkovic was hosted in Jamaica with her immediate family for a week as a gesture of gratitude for her selfless support.

“On behalf of the government of Jamaica, I thank Teiyana for her single act of kindness that created a positive ripple effect and gave our country the gold at the Olympics. We are truly grateful for her assistance and happy she and her family were able to enjoy our authentic Jamaican experiences and hospitality,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

In a moment that captured hearts worldwide, Parchment shared how Ms. Teiyana assisted him when he mistakenly boarded the wrong bus to the Olympic Stadium, ensuring he arrived in time to compete in the semifinals and ultimately secure Jamaica’s only gold medal in track and field at the Games.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White expressed the nation’s appreciation, stating, “Jamaica will never forget the kindness and generosity shown to one of our athletes in his time of need. This visit is a small way to say thank you and celebrate the power of goodwill and sportsmanship.”

During their stay, Ms. Kawashima and her family experienced Jamaica’s rich culture, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality. The itinerary included visits to key sites like Dunn’s River Falls and a reunion with Hansle Parchment at the Bob Marley Museum.

Jamaica’s hosting of this extraordinary guest underscores the country’s deep values of gratitude and unity. The event also serves as an inspiring reminder of how simple acts of kindness can lead to historic achievements.

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 25, 2025: With tourism increasingly relying on digital technologies, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Yonique Campbell has urged global tourism players to implement key security measures to protect the sector from cybercrime.

Focusing on the regulatory architecture, Dr. Campbell notes that “any threats to tourism that contributes as much as 30% to GDP in some Caribbean countries, and which has interlinkages to so many other sectors, including transportation for example, ought to be subject to robust discussions among industry, government, academics, international players, and to continuous research.” 

Dr. Campbell was one of five panelists examining the topic: “Cybersecurity, Privacy and Security: Measures for Protecting Digital Infrastructure in Tourism” at the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference held at Princess Grand Jamaica from February 17 to 19, 2025.

In recent times hotels, airlines, and travel websites have experienced numerous cyber-attacks and according to digital travel company, Booking.com, there has been a 900% increase in travel scams, primarily driven by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by criminals. Experts add that the problem is compounded by a limited use of threat protection mechanisms by online users, sometimes because they have limited awareness of the extent of the threat. With this in mind Dr. Campbell implied that “perhaps the regulatory system ought to contemplate that as well.”

Against this background, Dr. Campbell says: “The threat of cybercrime looms large for tourism in states that are already quite vulnerable, and part of the problem is that cybercrimes have obviously damaged trust and puts the reputation of the tourism sector at risk, and we can’t afford that especially in small island developing states.” 

She also argued that the Caribbean has a large number of American and European visitors, intensifying the risk and the consequences in the event of a breach. Dr. Campbell outlined that governments, by investing in a robust and resilient architecture, can improve protection for the tourism sector against cybercrimes, including “a zero-tolerance approach, place emphasis on contingency planning, tough penalties for serious breaches, continuously build out technical skills and build human resource capacity.”

She noted that cybersecurity has become increasingly important as technological innovation continues to move at a rapid pace, causing tourism businesses to rely more on technology. Dr. Campbell said this “has made the tourism sector increasingly reliant on and made to be more efficient as a result of this technology, but this technology also makes the tourism sector extremely susceptible to cybercrime.”

Dr. Campbell highlighted several forms of cybercrime and reminded her international audience that “the motivation is not always commercial. Cybercrimes could be politically motivated as well and it makes the picture more complicated in terms of coming up with a formidable and robust regulatory architecture.

HANOVER, Jamaica; Friday, February 21, 2025: Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has hailed the Palladium Hotel Group’s latest expansion project as a resounding vote of confidence in the Jamaican government and its economic trajectory. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Hanover recently, Prime Minister Holness underscored the project’s alignment with the administration’s ASPIRE growth agenda and its broader vision for economic sustainability.

“This expansion project aligns seamlessly with our new national pivot towards robust and inclusive growth. For most of the last decade, we have as a country focused on fiscal consolidation and debt reduction. The scale and speed of Jamaica's economic turnaround have no parallel amongst our peers in developing countries globally,” said Prime Minister Holness.

The Prime Minister noted that the 950-room expansion, valued at over 500 million euros, reflects the confidence of international investors in Jamaica’s economic stability and growth potential and extended his gratitude to Spain for its continued support of Jamaica’s tourism sector, citing Spain’s extensive investment in the country. The project will also include 600 houses for tourism workers.

“I want to acknowledge and thank His Excellency the Ambassador from Spain for his country's support for Jamaica's tourism. You mentioned that you have a portfolio here of in excess of 2 billion euros invested right here. So, that's a big vote that someone from another country would analyze our risk situation here and say I feel comfortable putting down that level of investment,” Dr. Holness remarked.

Prime Minister Holness further noted that the consistent expansion of the sector demonstrates investor faith in Jamaica’s macroeconomic direction. 

“It's clear businesses feel that the macroeconomic indicators are going in the right direction, which is why Minister Bartlett can say we have over 6,000 rooms that we will be breaking ground for or have already started this year – a massive vote of confidence in the government of Jamaica,” he added.

While celebrating the growth of Jamaica’s tourism industry, Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the linkages between tourism and other sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing, thereby reducing import dependency. He outlined a clear directive for tourism investors to integrate local suppliers into their operations.

“We must give our local producers who supply the tourism industry long-term supply contracts so that they can invest in building capacity and making the quality the standard that you would like. So that is a directive that if we don't see it happen by virtue of this kind of moral suasion, then we will have to go further to ensure that as our tourism grows, it is genuinely growing sustainably and fairly, which for me, this means everybody will prosper,” he stressed.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, echoed this sentiment, reaffirming that future tourism investments in Jamaica must include tangible benefits for local communities. Tourism is about people. This expansion is about people. Six hundred more houses for tourism workers, that is about people. We will have 950 of the finest rooms at a different level of experience with the elements of human capital development and growth embedded in it,” Minister Bartlett stated.

The tourism minister also highlighted the significant opportunities that the project will bring for local businesses. “Nine hundred and fifty more rooms will provide countless new opportunities for linkages, and we have established that through policy and the activities of the Tourism Enhancement Fund to go at a dimension unprecedented in our history. From our discussions at FITUR, that was a critical part of the agreement; every investor that will come to Jamaica from henceforth must have a component for housing and linkages with the local economy,” he said.

“We are grateful for the collaboration and commitment shown by our partners here in Hanover. In two years, I hope we will be enjoying these facilities not just as renderings but as a vibrant reality that sets new standards in hospitality,” added the President of the Palladium Hotel Group, Abel Matutes Prats. The expansion will include a state-of-the-art convention centre capable of hosting over 1,000 guests, enhancing Jamaica’s position as a premier destination for conferences and events. Additionally, the project will introduce newly designed buildings focused on optimal energy efficiency and sustainability as well as the launch of educational initiatives and skill-development programmes for residents.

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, February 20, 2025: Five Jamaican and three Canadian individuals and organizations have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to boosting tourism resilience. The Jamaican winners received their awards from the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), while the Canadian victors earned their accolades from ECO Canada.

The awards were presented at an open-air gala dinner on the Sky Terrace of Princess Grand Jamaica on February 18, 2025, climaxing two packed days of penetrating presentations covering various aspects of digital transformation as it impacts the global tourism industry, at the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo, held from February 17-19, 2025.

The GTRCMC awardees include Couples Resorts, which is a trailblazer in luxury tourism and has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and authentic Caribbean experiences; Jakes Hotel, Villas and Spa in Treasure Beach, whose Chairman, Jason Henzell, was hailed for his commitment to ensuring that the sustainability of the area and the success of its stakeholders are at the forefront of the guest experience.

Among the other winners were: Alligator Head Foundation in Portland, a community-based marine preservation organization dedicated to the conservation of the parish’s diverse habitat; while Executive Deputy Chairman for Chukka Caribbean Adventures, John Byles, a distinguished businessman and investment strategist with a strong background in finance, tourism and corporate leadership, received an award for the pivotal role he played in the establishment and management of the local tourism industry’s innovative Resilience Corridors during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the heights of the pandemic, Mr. Byles served as Chairman of the Resilience Corridors Committee.

The fifth local awardee was Co-founder & CEO of Bresheh Enterprises, Randy McLaren whose verandah business of manufacturing luxury bags has grown into a global enterprise, reflecting sustainability and worker skill development.

Meanwhile ECO Canada recognized Jai Ragunathan, a foremost global expert on ocean technology; the Government of Yukon received an award for being a role model of sustainable development, and technology company Futurescale, received an award for their work in identifying future needs of destinations. 

Giving a celebratory address, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said “establishing this award is not just a moment for celebration, it is really a moment for us to showcase and to give special prominence to individuals, organizations, and institutions that have understood the importance of building the capacity to forecast disruptions, to mitigate against, manage and recover quickly from disruptions and to thrive.”

Reflecting on the founding of the GTRCMC and its expansion to include six satellites across the globe, he highlighted the role of Professor Lloyd Waller as executive director and other partners, noting that it was deliberately founded in academia “and not part of government and any political arrangement because one of the things I didn’t want is for any administration of the future, with a different philosophy and perspective, and even a different vision, to make any drastic changes to that construct which we established at the University of the West Indies.” 

Mr. Bartlett who founded the GTRCMC said: “Putting the Centre in the heart of academia ensured that it was insulated against political ambitions.”

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 18, 2025:Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is urging global tourism stakeholders, including businesses and entrepreneurs, to embrace digital technologies to boost resilience in the tourism industry.

Speaking under the theme, “Building Tourism Resilience Through Digital Transformation”, Minister Bartlett made the call during his keynote address to mark the opening of the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo, which runs from February 17-19, 2025, at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort, Hanover.

His comments came as tourism partners observed the United Nations (UN) designated Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, 2025. Minister Bartlett said: “From artificial intelligence to data analytics, from virtual reality experiences to blockchain-based transparency, the digital realm offers us an extraordinary toolkit to anticipate challenges and innovate solutions.”

The conference has drawn participants from far afield, including Africa and Saudi Arabia with two opposing candidates vying to succeed His Excellency Zurab Pololikashvili as Secretary General of UN Tourism also in attendance.

Minister Bartlett advocated for the use of digital technologies that enable real-time data and analytics, including monitoring travel flows, consumer trends, and potential risks, thereby allowing for proactive decisions to be made.

He also cited virtual engagements and marketing as a major opportunity to provide immersive experiences that can keep destinations top-of-mind even during travel pauses, as well as smart destination management to enhance visitor experiences through digital ticketing, crowd management, and personalized itineraries that promote sustainability and authenticity.

Minister Bartlett also identified robust crisis communication as a key benefit in embracing digital technologies, noting that this would facilitate “swift and clear communication with stakeholders, travellers, and local communities in times of crisis.”

“By weaving these digital tools into our tourism strategies, we can foresee disruptions, respond effectively to crises, and ensure the continuity of this vital sector,” he advised conference delegates.

Also bearing the role of Chairman of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which has its headquarters in Jamaica, Minister Bartlett revealed that “the GTRCMC will be rolling out a series of AI-driven initiatives designed to enhance destinations worldwide—from dedicated training and capacity-building programmes to thought leadership and advocacy efforts. By equipping tourism stakeholders with cutting-edge digital skills, we aim to reshape the industry, making it more agile, inclusive, and future-ready.”

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, February 13, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett remains upbeat that the current winter tourist season will be the best ever amid a continued boost in airlift support. He gave an optimistic outlook yesterday (February 12) in welcoming the inaugural flight of Avelo Airlines out of Raleigh, North Carolina, to Montego Bay. The twice weekly flight expands Avelo’s operation in Jamaica, complementing its other twice weekly flights out of Hartford, Connecticut since November 16, 2024. 

Avelo is an American ultra-low-cost airline headquartered in Houston, Texas, focusing on providing low-cost air travel with flights to various destinations across the US. Captain Joseph Trevino and his crew of four brought close to 60 passengers on the inaugural Raleigh to Montego Bay flight.

Expressing hope that the worst of the winter freeze in the United States had passed, Minister Bartlett said “the better news is that we are expanding South America, and now have new flights coming out of Lima, Peru” and in the next two weeks, “we will get conclusion of an arrangement with Avianca to have new flights coming out of Colombia.”

Minister Bartlett said in addition to talks also taking place with Brazilian airlines, “on top of Copa and LATAM, which are now big drivers, and Arajet coming out of the Dominican Republic and connecting into South America, we will be able to achieve the 100,000 visitors from South America, which we're projecting by 2025/26.”

Eastern Europe has also been identified as another area for Jamaica’s expansion drive with Minister Bartlett indicating that: “We're getting new flight arrangements out of that region as well.” 

In a bid to offset a slight shortfall in US arrivals due to extreme winter weather with a strong push in South America, Mr. Bartlett said a major announcement would be made within another few days regarding a new visa arrangement “in relation to that in terms of one of our largest partners in the Caribbean.”

Recently Minister Bartlett announced new flights from Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. He saw the new flight arrangements as Jamaica being able “to future proof the market at a level never seen before” in terms of “marketing engagement and airlift arrangements that we are now experiencing. Indeed, in the last three years, post-COVID, we have taken off and created a new frontier in terms of outcomes from tourism, both in terms of revenue, as well as visitor arrivals.”

In addition to job creation and room expansion, he also pointed out that “we have enabled a larger number of small operators to become engaged in the tourism industry.”

MADRID; Spain; Thursday, January 23, 2025:  Following the annual strategic meeting with Inverotel, one of the largest Spanish hotel investment groups, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has negotiated better labour market arrangements for the backbone of Jamaica's tourism sector - its dedicated workforce. The meeting included key representatives from Inverotel and senior tourism officials in the margins of FITUR, the leading tourism trade fair held in Spain.

Established in 2007, the Inverotel Group currently has 18 members from various hotel chains, which together have around 100,000 rooms in the Americas and the Caribbean.

The discussion, led by the Minister, focused on a comprehensive plan that will address three critical areas: housing accessibility, professional development through training, and retirement security.

"Our tourism workers are the heart and soul of Jamaica's hospitality sector," said Minister Bartlett. "This initiative represents the commitment of our largest investors to our workers’ well-being and professional growth, ensuring a sustainable future for both our employees and the sector," he added.

The multi-faceted plan that Inverotel has committed to support includes providing affordable housing solutions and professional excellence initiative that will look at comprehensive training programmes aligned with international hospitality standards. This training initiative, that will feature strong collaboration with the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation, will provide possibilities for industry-recognized certification opportunities, career advancement pathways and skill development.

Two major components that the group has also committed to include full payment of gratuity and support for staff participation in the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme to ensure social security for workers in retirement.

“We welcome this level of commitment by our Spanish hotel partners, and it represents a significant investment in our workers,” added Minister Bartlett. “By addressing fundamental needs like housing, professional development, and retirement security, we're not just supporting our workers - we're strengthening Jamaica's entire tourism sector,” he stressed.

Minister Bartlett is leading a small delegation of tourism officials at FITUR 2025, in Madrid, Spain, a major tourism fair with 152 countries represented.