KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has endorsed the global call made by Prime Minister The Most Hon. Andrew Holness for the official designation of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually.

The Prime Minister made the call as he addressed the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday (September 22). He said: “We have been engaging countries across the world in our efforts to bolster resilience in global tourism and Jamaica is proposing the official designation of February 17th annually as Global Tourism Resilience Day.”

Mr. Holness outlined that the “annual commemoration would serve to encourage a consistent examination of resilience-building in the tourism sector, in the face of persisting global disruptions to sustainable tourism and sustainable development.”

He encouraged “the global community to work towards commemorating the first Global Tourism Resilience Day in 2023.”

In supporting the call Minister Bartlett, who officially launched Global Tourism Resilience Day during EXPO2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this year, noted that: “The Prime Minister’s call represents the latest step by Jamaica in our push to have Global Tourism Resilience Day observed across the world each year.”

He added that “this observance would assist in increasing the awareness and actions of global tourism stakeholders towards strengthening the industry’s capacity to effectively handle and recover speedily from major disruptions, such as pandemics and natural disasters.”

“It would also encourage larger states to provide support and assistance to small highly tourism-dependent countries in the area of resilience building” Mr. Bartlett expressed. The Day, which is the brainchild of Minister Bartlett has received support from tourism stakeholders globally.

Meanwhile, in calling for the official designation of Global Tourism Resilience Day, Prime Minister Holness also stressed that “as a highly tourism-dependent country, in the most tourism-dependent region in the world, Jamaica has invested heavily in building resilience in the tourism sector,” adding that “during the pandemic, we pioneered the introduction of “resilient corridors” on the island, which assisted greatly in fast-tracking the recovery for our tourism sector.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2022: The Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and industry partners will highlight the importance of the sector to economic development and invite stakeholders to rethink how they approach tourism in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world, through the observance of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2022, from September 25 – October 1.

The week will be observed under the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) theme for World Tourism Day (September 27) – “Rethinking Tourism.” The theme highlights the shift towards tourism being recognized as a crucial pillar of development.

In underscoring the importance of the theme, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett explained that: “Amid the uncertainties that have characterized the current post-COVID-19 period, an unprecedented opportunity has been presented for us to rethink strategies for building the resilience of Jamaica’s tourism industry.”

“The Ministry has always advocated for a sector that is economically sustainable, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly; however, the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated our commitment to rethinking tourism to maximize its contribution to the social and economic well-being of the nation and its citizens,” he added.

He noted also that the tourism sector is “the single largest contributor to GDP, the main source of foreign revenues and one of the country’s main sources of exports” adding that “overall, the tourism sector has grown by 36% over the past 30 years against total economic growth of 10%.”

Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister revealed that the “rethinking of Jamaica’s tourism is being guided by our Blue Ocean Strategy, which is playing a leading role in revitalizing Jamaica’s tourism industry. It calls for the creation of business models that depart from traditional ones based on competition and standardization.”

In endorsing the point Director of Tourism, Donovan White expressed that: “As a destination, using the key premises of the Blue Ocean Strategy framework, we have shifted our strategic focus to one of enhanced value-creation through product differentiation and diversification.” 

He explained further that “we are opening up new markets and creating new demand in uncontested market spaces instead of going down the well-trodden path and competing in saturated markets.”

The week will begin with a Thanksgiving Church Service at the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God, St. James on Sunday, September 25. The day will also see the latest installment of the Virtual Edmund Bartlett Lecture Series, which will be hosted by the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and is open to all individuals, particularly tourism stakeholders.

A Tourism Opportunities Visionary Symposium is scheduled for World Tourism Day (Tuesday, September 27). This event will see international speakers being invited to speak on the future opportunities for tourism, new frontiers being explored and trailblazers on the front lines.

A Youth Forum has been organized for Wednesday, September 28, and will involve two panel discussions with industry stakeholders to discuss the way ahead as the world considers what tourism will look like in the future.

Other activities include a Style Jamaica Runway Show on Monday, September 26; a special virtual Knowledge Forum on Thursday, September 29; the official launch of the Tourism Innovation Incubator on Friday, September 30; school speaking engagements from Monday, September 26 to Friday, September 30; a youth poster competition; and the roll-out of an Online Tourism Resource Guide.

Bartlett to Represent Jamaica at State Funeral for Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 19, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been invited to participate in the much-anticipated Tourism EXPO Japan 2022 tradeshow, where he will seek to facilitate crucial discussions as part of efforts to tap into the Asian market.

The all-inclusive travel trade event, known as: "One of the world’s largest Travel Trade Exhibitions,” will take place from September 22 to September 25, 2022 and gather key players from the world’s tourism industry and travel-related business fields. It is expected to offer several opportunities, including business meetings, and direct business-to-business and business-to-customer promotions.

Mr. Bartlett said he is looking forward to the opportunity to leverage the positive relationship that exists between Jamaica and Japan, to foster tourism cooperation as well as to promote Jamaica at the travel trade show.

“Tourism EXPO Japan 2022 will provide a very crucial platform for Jamaica to forge key partnerships as we seek to tap into the lucrative Asian market,” Minister Bartlett said.

He underscored that: “We have been laying the foundation for growth in arrivals out of the Asian market over the last few years. So, our participation in this important event is quite timely as we seek out new and emerging markets in the post-COVID-19 era, as part of our drive to boost arrivals and earnings in order to surpass our pre-COVID record levels,” he added.

During his trip Minister Bartlett is slated to meet with several senior government officials and business interests, including Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shunsuke TAKEI; Mr. Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and Chairman of Japan’s tourism bureau, JTB Corporation; and Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms Sachiko Imoto.

The Tourism Minister also indicated that he is looking forward to discussions and the sharing of insights that will come out of the expo. Mr. Bartlett will also represent Jamaica at the State Funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The former PM, the longest-serving leader in modern Japan, was fatally shot on July 8.

While in Japan, Minister Bartlett will also participate in the 9^th Edition of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre’s (GTRCMC) Virtual Edmund Bartlett Lecture Series. The event will be among the major activities for Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2022, which runs locally from September 25 to October 1. The theme for the week will be consistent with the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) theme for World Tourism Day, which is being observed on September 27th under the theme: “Rethinking Tourism”.

Other activities include a Thanksgiving Church Service on Sunday, September 25; Style Jamaica Runway Show on Monday, September 26; a Tourism Opportunities Visionary Symposium on Tuesday, September 27; a youth forum on Wednesday, September 28; a special virtual Knowledge Forum on Thursday, September 29; the official launch of the Innovation-Based Tourism Incubator on Friday, September 30; school speaking engagements from Monday, September 26 to Friday, September 30; and a youth poster competition.

Minister Bartlett left the island today, (Monday September 19), and is set to return on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, September 14, 2022: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reiterated his call for governments across the Caribbean to implement a multiple entry visa regimen as he pushes for the establishment of a multi-destination tourism framework in the region.

Minister Bartlett, who has been a strong advocate for the move, was participating in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Caribbean Aviation Day multi-destination tourism panel discussion in the Cayman Islands today (Wednesday, September 14).

While underscoring the tremendous potential to enhance tourism competitiveness within the region, Mr. Bartlett said “governments must work closely to examine the issues of tourism costs, air connectivity, the harmonization of visa policies, airspace usage, and pre-clearance arrangements.”

He explained that “one possibility that can be effectively explored is that of adopting measures that would enable tourists to travel more conveniently to and among the countries within a region, such as visa waivers for select countries or a multiple entry visa.”

In reiterating his position and calling on regional governments to lead the charge, Minister Bartlett stressed that the establishment of such a visa framework, and by extension multi-destination tourism, would be beneficial to both citizens and tourists alike.

He said “overall, more locals will become engaged in the tourism value chain, small and medium-sized businesses will enter the market providing more goods and services, more persons will be employed, and more revenues will be generated for governments.”

Adding that several destinations in the Americas have already begun to explore multi-destination arrangements, he highlighted that “Jamaica currently has four multi-destination arrangements. These include arrangements with the governments of Cuba, The Dominica Republic and Panama and another in the pipeline with the government of the Cayman Islands.”

Meanwhile the Tourism Minister also called on the private sector to get involved, suggesting that “regional governments and the private sector will need to collaborate more closely to advance market integration by fostering and harmonizing legislation on air connectivity, visa facilitation, product development, promotion and human capital”

Mr. Bartlett added that this approach would be a part of a broad-based strategy to boost tourist arrivals, noting also that incentivising and organising may also prove useful in bringing the multi-destination framework to fruition.

He said, “governments are also urged to explore incentives and strategies to strengthen regional carriers; enhance intra-regional travel; and through joint airlift agreements, increase linkages between regional and international-based airlines as part of a broad-based strategy to boost tourist arrivals.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 13, 2022: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is now in the Cayman Islands for a series of high-level engagements, including the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Business Meeting and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Caribbean Aviation Day Event.

The 24-member CTO is regarded as the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising Dutch, English, French and Spanish territories and agencies from both the public and private sectors. Mr. Bartlett believes the meeting comes at a very crucial time in the recovery process for the region.

Minister Bartlett says: “The CTO Business Meeting which is being hosted in the Cayman Islands is very important for the region at this time as recovering from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic requires all Caribbean tourism partners working together to rebuild stronger and to ensure that our destinations are more resilient.”

He stressed the need for unity of purpose in the recovery effort. “Each tourist destination has its own goals but in many global markets, the Caribbean is seen as one and only through ‘coopetition,’ collaborating while competing, are we going to achieve regional growth objectives,” Minister Bartlett added.

The conference is the first major in-person event for the CTO since the onset of COVID-19. In addition to attending the Board of Directors Meeting, the Council of Ministers Meeting and the CTO Annual General Meeting, Minister Bartlett will also participate with other Ministers in IATA Caribbean Aviation Day activities tomorrow, September 14th.

Minister Bartlett, who left the island today (September 13), said: “We’re looking forward to the IATA Caribbean Aviation Day as it will bring together key players who are essential to us growing tourism through multi-destination packages that will offer international travellers a real Caribbean experience on their vacation.”

Minister Bartlett will also participate in a special panel discussion on Multi-Destination Tourism as part of the day’s activities. He noted that he will take the opportunity to continue to push for the establishment of a multi-destination framework in the region, for which he has long advocated.

 “Establishing a multi-destination arrangement will require that willingness and commitment on the part of countries across the region to coordinate marketing, product development and investment strategies as one region, while continuing to develop their unique attractions,” he said.

 “Crucial to this process is dialogue, therefore this discussion will be very timely and I look forward to participating in this important initiative as we seek to move the process forward,” Minister Bartlett added.

The agenda also includes a discussion on: “Challenges and Priorities for Air Transport in The Caribbean.” There will also be a session on: “Transforming Regional Connectivity: The Role of the Private Sector in Financing Intra-Regional Travel.”

Participants in the Caribbean Aviation Day activities will include top management of the airline and tourist industry in the region, as well as government ministers, aeronautical authorities, international aviation experts, members of the diplomatic corps, media, among others.

Minister Bartlett, who is being accompanied by Director of Tourism, Donovan White, is slated to return to the island on September 16, 2022.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 2, 2022: Jamaica secured several major accolades at this year’s staging of the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The America’s Gala, held earlier this week at Sandals, Montego Bay.

Jamaica has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination 2022, for the 16th straight year. Jamaica also copped the award for Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination 2022, Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2022, for the 14th year in a row and Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination 2022. 

In accepting the awards, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “the accolades are proof of the resilience of Jamaica’s tourism sector and its committed stakeholders,” adding that “the prizes are also an indication that despite the challenges of the last two years, visitors to our island still see us as the place to visit.” Minister Bartlett said he is “proud that Jamaica’s tourism offerings have again been recognised and awarded for the quality experience they provide.”

Meanwhile, several Jamaican based tourism entities also received awards at the event held on August 31. They include Dolphin Cove, which was named the Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2022; Sangster International Airport, named the Caribbean's Leading Airport 2022; Club Mobay at Sangster International Airport received the title of Caribbean's Leading Airport Lounge 2022; Port of Falmouth, Jamaica was named Caribbean's Leading Cruise Port 2022, and the Montego Bay Convention Centre - Caribbean's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2022.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas was named the Caribbean's Leading Villa Resort for 2022; Historic Naval Dockyard, Port Royal, Jamaica received the Caribbean's Leading Tourism Development Project award for 2022 and GO! Jamaica Travel was named the Caribbean's Leading Tour Operator, the Caribbean's Leading Travel Agency, and Caribbean's Leading Destination Management Company.

Sandals South Coast secured the title of Caribbean's Leading Honeymoon Resort 2022; Half Moon - Caribbean's Leading Hotel 2022; Margaritaville Caribbean secured the title of Caribbean's Leading Entertainment Venue 2022, Port of Montego Bay was awarded as the Caribbean's Leading Home Port 2022 and Jamaica Inn was designated the Caribbean's Leading Luxury All Suite Resort 2022.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures was named Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tour Operator 2022, Rockhouse, Jamaica secured the award for Caribbean's Leading Boutique Hotel 2022, Sandals Resorts International copped the award for Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand 2022 while GoldenEye was named the Caribbean's Leading Boutique Resort 2022.

Additionally, the Tryall Club in Montego Bay; Island Car Rentals; and Fleming Villa @ GoldenEye rounded out the night receiving Caribbean's Leading Hotel Residences, Caribbean's Leading Independent Car Rental Company and Caribbean's Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2022 awards, respectively.

Jamaica and its tourism entities received some 26 awards.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Friday, September 2, 2022: Jamaica and the South American nation of Paraguay are set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at building regional tourism and boosting growth in the hospitality industries in both countries.

The announcement was made as Minister Bartlett held bilateral talks at the Montego Bay Convention Centre with Paraguay’s Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Sofía Montiel de Afara. “Jamaica and Paraguay have enjoyed fraternal relations for a long time and we think now that tourism offers an opportunity for the deepening of that relationship between our two countries,” said Mr Bartlett. He saw the talks as also making a statement of collaboration.

With all tourism destinations now engaged in devising strategies for recovery from the devastating fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Bartlett stated that: “We know that recovery for tourism is not linear, we know also that to attempt to recover alone is a futile one; we are convinced that we can recover together, stronger and better and that it will inure to the economic development not just of the Americas but more specifically, to our individual countries.”

The tourism ministers noted that there were several areas under consideration for the MOU, such as building the capacity of small and medium tourism enterprises, which Mr. Bartlett stressed, constitute more than 80 percent of tourism entities globally. The aim, he said, was to look at building capacity, enabling greater levels of creative output from these enterprises “but more so for them to be able to manage better and be able to contribute to the economic value chain and enrich their own experience.”

Multi-destination tourism was also identified as a critical component to enable a larger flow of visitors from far-flung destinations and the need to harmonize protocols on border controls and health to facilitate seamless movement between the cooperating countries. Air connectivity was also identified as a key area for attention.

Also included in their discussion was collaboration in the training and development of the human capital, as a large number of tourism workers from various areas have not returned to the jobs they held prior to the pandemic and there was the critical need to bolster the industry’s labour force. “The Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) will play a role with our partners in Paraguay in enabling training and certification of a number of key workers,” said Minister Bartlett.

Minister Montiel expressed pleasure at being in Jamaica and said her country would be keen on having Minister Bartlett chair a working group to fine-tune the MOU that he hopes will be signed when he takes up an invitation to visit Paraguay.

Speaking through an interpreter, Minister Montiel said: “It is important for us to have this type of meeting because it is not alone that it’s going to work, it’s together between the Americas.” She said the invitation to Minister Bartlett was also “to work as tourism families on innovations and capacity building.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 2, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed the announcement by Spirit Airlines that it will be introducing nonstop flights from Connecticut to Montego Bay, Jamaica. This will be the only nonstop flight arrangement between Connecticut and Jamaica.

Minister Bartlett, in welcoming the news, said “this is connecting the Diaspora in a stronger way.” He also noted that “Hartford, Connecticut is a centre of Diaspora activities where third and fourth generation Jamaicans are very well established,” adding that they will not have to drive for miles to board a flight to visit Jamaica.

Reiterating his excitement, the Tourism Minister also stressed that the “Tristate area is strengthening,” referring to it as “the bread and butter area for tourism out of the United States.”

Spirit Airlines’ new service from Connecticut to Montego Bay will commence just in time for the start of the 2022/23 Winter Tourist Season.

The new route will operate out of Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut, with the first flight slated to arrive at the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay on December 15, 2022. The service is expected to operate four times per week.

Minister Bartlett noted that the flight is a “welcome addition to our airlift arrangements as we continue our drive to further boost the flow of US visitors to Jamaica through the addition of new gateways and greater seat support. Our tourism sector is rebounding at a very brisk pace, with record arrivals and greater visitor spend. So, this new service will also help to enhance these numbers and will increase arrivals into our tourism Mecca, Montego Bay.”

“Furthermore, Connecticut has a vibrant Jamaican Diaspora and on the flip side many Jamaicans trek to Connecticut for business and family engagements, they will all no doubt fully utilize this convenient service,” he added.

Sending congratulations to the team that has made the new arrangement a reality, Minister Bartlett said he is also excited about the partnerships that have been developed.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, September 1, 2022: Jamaica and Kenya have agreed to collaborate in the area of tourism in a bid to strengthen the hospitality sectors in both countries. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the partnership between both countries will entail collaboration between the Montego Bay Convention Centre and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Kenya.

The agreement came out of talks yesterday (August 31) between Minister Bartlett and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nana Gecaga. The centre is owned by the government of Kenya. Ms Gecaga who is niece to Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, is also a well-known businesswoman and works primarily in international marketing and tourism.

With both countries having a keen interest in MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism, the high-level talks were conveniently held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, a public body of the Ministry of Tourism. Mr Bartlett said one of the key points in the talks was intended to be “a movement when we begin to codify, if not solidify the connection between the Montego Bay Convention Centre and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.”

Underscoring the importance of making the connection, he said: “We are the location in the Caribbean for big meetings, exhibitions and incentive activities, as Kenya is in Eastern Africa, so we think that synergy exists and that collaboration will inure to the benefit of all.”

Ms Gecaga sees the twinning of the two convention centres as a tangible step in achieving that objective.

“I think definitely there’s a lot of synergies that can take place,” she said and pointed to the need for Jamaica to be part of an association that would pave the way for it hosting major award ceremonies and other events. She said this would allow for a partnership in which Kenya bids for a major convention with a key factor being the ability to offer Montego Bay as a rotating host.

Among other proposals, she identified were, having an exchange programme and being proactive in creating events.

Having been to Jamaica previously, she lauded the country’s hospitality as “outstanding” and admitted that: “When leaving to head back to the States, I remember crying! It’s the only place that I’ve cried when I left.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 19, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has underscored that the outstanding performance of the tourism sector as outlined in the latest report by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) highlights the fact that tourism is driving Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

This as he welcomed the PIOJ’s report which indicates that the tourism sector has contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth in the second quarter of the year. The PIOJ yesterday (August 18) announced that the economy grew by 5.7% during the April to June quarter of 2022, compared with the same period in 2021, with the tourism and hospitality sector contributing substantially.

The PIOJ reported that the Real Value Added for Hotels & Restaurants grew by an estimated 55.4%, reflecting a sharp increase in visitor arrivals from all main source markets, and that for April–May 2022 total Foreign National arrivals was 399,310 visitors, representing an increase of 110.0% relative to the corresponding period in 2021.

Minister Bartlett stressed that “the figures from the PIOJ highlight the fact that the tourism industry is driving Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery,” adding that “the results are a clear indication of the resilience of the sector, which is rebounding steadily.”

As he embraced the news Minister Bartlett met with representatives of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and other industry stakeholders, including members of the Tourism Recovery Task Force, today (August 19), for a mid-year review of the sector.

It was also outlined that visitor spend is currently outpacing 2019 Levels. According to Jamaica Tourist Board figures, length of stay is back to the 2019 levels of 7.9 nights and more importantly the Average Spend per Visitor has increased from US$ 168 per night to US$ 182 per person per night.

Minister Bartlett notes that “this simply means that the tourism sector is generating more foreign exchange per visitor. So, there is more money circulating in the wider economy and this benefits various players in the industry, such as attractions, the transportation sub-sector and artisans, thereby creating greater economic impact.” 

During the meeting, it was highlighted that since reopening in June 2020, Jamaica has welcomed over 3.5 million (3,556,394) visitors as at July 2022. Likewise, year-to-date the island has welcomed over 1.7 million visitors (1,714,956), an increase of 139.4% over the same period in 2021.

There was also an estimated increase of 10% in visitor arrivals for July 2022 compared to the same period in 2019. With increased arrivals month-over-month, Minister Bartlett said “we remain optimistic that our performance figures will return to 2019 pre-COVID record levels by 2023.”