KINGSTON; Jamaica; December 27, 2024: The Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies spread holiday joy and gratitude this season by hosting a series of special Christmas Treats for the children of tourism workers. The heartwarming celebrations, held over three days, took place across resort areas including Kingston, Portland, Treasure Beach, Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, bringing smiles to over 600 children and their families.

"Our tourism workers are the backbone of our sector, and these celebrations recognize their dedication while bringing joy to their children during the holiday season. It is timely as the sector continues to grow and our workers are the driving force behind this," said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

The Christmas treats aimed to recognize the invaluable contributions of tourism workers who play a vital role in the country’s vibrant tourism sector. The Ministry of Tourism partnered with local businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to create memorable experiences filled with holiday magic.

Children were treated to an exciting array of activities, including bounce-a-bouts, mechanical bulls, games and a visit from Santa Claus, who arrived bearing gifts for every child. The event also featured live entertainment, including dance performances.

In his visit to the treat at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, Minister Bartlett emphasized the importance of the event: “The dedication of our tourism workers ensures that visitors to our country experience the best of our hospitality. We celebrate not only their hard work but also the joy and wonder of the season through their children. This is our way of giving back to those who give so much to our nation.”

Toys were also distributed to ten (10) hotels across Trelawny, Montego Bay and Negril ensuring that the children of staff who were unable to attend the Christmas treats still received a share of the holiday joy.

The treats were made possible through the generous support of the Ministry’s public bodies and tourism partners who provided toys, refreshments and other resources. Their support ensured that the children and their families could enjoy a day filled with festive cheer.

The Ministry of Tourism plans to make this an annual tradition, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the well-being of tourism workers and their families. As the year ends, the Ministry extends warm holiday wishes to all and looks forward to a prosperous new year for the tourism sector and the nation.

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Monday, December 16, 2024:The US$400 million Princess Resorts with 1,005-rooms and several overwater suites, will add another dimension to Jamaica’s tourism industry next year with the development of the country’s first casino since licensing legislation was approved in June 2010, following the enactment of the Casino Gaming Act in March that year.

Making the announcement at the official opening of Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove on December 12, 2024, Managing Director, Enrico Pezzoli said “these two resorts promise to elevate Jamaica’s all-inclusive experience and draw more tourists to our shores than ever before.”

He went on to announce that “Princess is proud to be the first in Jamaica to offer a full-service style casino where guests can enjoy a state-of-the-art gaming lounge and at the same time world class food and beverage. Construction has already started and we are planning to open our casino by the fourth quarter of 2025.”

Mr. Pezzoli also disclosed that in its first week of operation, the rating platform Tripadvisor has positioned Princess Grand Jamaica at number two in Jamaica. The current staff complement of 1,400 will be increased to 1,700 when the resort “is in full capacity in a few weeks.”

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness and Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett led in cutting the ribbon signifying the official opening.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Holness described the resort as “one of the most beautiful hotels that I have seen,” and the fact that every room has a view of the sea “is a major selling point” with the architects having done an amazing job.

“I also want to commend the workmen who have put their labour into this; many of them are from this parish, and all over Jamaica, and I want to acknowledge their work in this achievement,” he said

Minister Bartlett welcomed the announcement of the first casino and lauded the owner of Princess Hotels and Resorts, Roberto Cabrera Plana and his family “on the great investment that they have made here in Jamaica.”

Attributing this and other developments slated in tourism to the fact that Jamaica had achieved stability, the Prime Minister underscored that Jamaica needed to pivot with “speed and efficiency in… improving infrastructure to support this amazing investment, and most importantly, to ensure that the people of Jamaica benefit from the stability.”

Prime Minister Holness also reaffirmed his commitment to getting the Hopewell Bypass and Lucea Bypass done, making the investment in fixing the town of Lucea with its potential as a tourist attraction. “We have already started the plans; we already have the alignment for the bypass and in the next budget we will be making allocations to begin,” he assured.

“We are going to create the best tourism corridor in the Caribbean when we have completed that bypass from Montego Bay straight through to Negril, he promised, while also stating: “We have some excellent plans for Negril, including a new airport, including two parks; one will be a beach park and one will be an echo park.” The Prime Minister also announced an intention to declare Negril a special investment area “to recreate the whole energy in Negril, to get back Negril as the pulse of tourism.”

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, December 16, 2024: As Jamaica prepares for another record-breaking year in tourist arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has heaped praises on workers and partners in the industry for their continued sterling contribution.

The importance of showing appreciation to tourism workers and industry stakeholders, was underscored by Minister Bartlett at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) annual tourism workers and partners’ appreciation breakfast, at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) as the sector marked the start of the winter tourist season on December 15.

Describing workers as “the backbone of the industry,” he pointed out that “tourism is about service and 60 percent of the value of the experience of the visitor to the destination is service, not service provided by machines but by human beings, you the workers.”

Reminding that the service delivery begins at the airport, Minister Bartlett told the various categories of airport workers, “you represent the moment of truth in marketing – when the customer meets the product for the first time – so when they land on the tarmac here and they step out and breathe the air that is fresh and nice, that’s where the service begins.”

He also pointed out that Jamaica was far ahead in using technology to enable seamlessness in arrivals for visitors and issued an appeal for travellers, including Jamaicans, to fill in their immigration information online beforehand to avoid delays at Immigration and Customs.

Minister Bartlett implored the tourism workers to “let us make this winter season the best, because already it is shaping up to be. We have 178,000 more new seats this winter than any other winter season in our history; that means we have 1.45 million seats coming from across the world for the winter if 80 percent load factor is realized.” 

The Minister highlighted that “at 100 percent load factor take up, arrivals will be at a record 1.6 million seats.”

Montego Bay Chapter Chair of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Kerry-Ann Quallo-Casserly also extended appreciation to all the dedicated airport workers, noting that “your tireless effort to ensure the smooth operation of our airport, coupled with your warm hospitality and welcoming smile make a lasting impression on all visitors.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports, operators of SIA, Shane Munroe underscored that “Sangster International Airport is not just a gateway; it’s a place where first and last impressions of Jamaica are made, and you our airport staff ensure that those memories are unforgettable.” He added, “you are the heartbeat of the operation here at MBJ and the faces of Jamaica to the word, and the reason for our success.”

Also lauding the workers, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon likened them to the Internet experience with the airport representing connectivity in the physical space. “That connectivity creates an experience for those who visit and you are responsible for putting together that experience upon entrance and upon exit,” he said.

The annual breakfast served as an awards ceremony, with the JTB recognizing several workers from the various service departments at the airport for their outstanding contribution to the tourism industry. Topping the list of awardees by claiming “The Chairman’s Award” was Natari Dixon who was lauded as “an individual whose dedication and unwavering support has left an indelible mark on JTB and by extension, Jamaica.” The award was presented by Minister Bartlett.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, December 9, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has reinforced his advocacy for the transformation of the tourism sector through technology while observing that: “We are on the cusp of a new era – one where technology and tourism intertwine to create experiences that are more enriching, accessible, and sustainable than ever before.”

Stating that over the decades, technology has revolutionized the tourism industry in more ways than could have been imagined, Minister Bartlett welcomed innovators of TechBeach Jamaica, which staged its 7th annual international retreat at Secrets Resort from December 4-6, 2024. He lauded co-founders, Jamaican Kirk Hamilton and Trinidadian Kyle Maloney as “visionary minds and trailblazers who are shaping the future of technology and its intersection with tourism.”

TechBeach is a premier technology conference that connects the Caribbean’s tech ecosystem with major global technology hubs, and is seen by Minister Bartlett as not just an event but a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and investment.

He cited that AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants were now enhancing customer service, providing real-time assistance to travellers worldwide, noting that technological advancements such as Internet of Things (IoT) driven devices, blockchain and robotics were democratic and empowering; lowering barriers to entry, allowing small businesses and entrepreneurs in Jamaica to compete on a global stage.

Noting that digital technologies have opened doors for individuals to offer unique services, create innovative products, and reach markets previously inaccessible, Minister Bartlett pointed to “a wealth of opportunities for our people in Jamaica to become entrepreneurs in the tourism space.”

He identified “opportunities in developing mobile applications that enhance visitor experience, creating virtual reality tours of cultural and historical sites, online booking and reservation platforms for local attractions, digital marketing services to small tourism businesses and establishing online marketplaces for authentic Jamaican crafts and products.”

Minister Bartlett also pointed to opportunities in utilizing drones for aerial photography and videography to promote destinations, implementing AI-powered customer service solutions for hospitality business and developing sustainable tourism initiatives using IoT for energy efficiency.

“As we look to the future, it is clear that technology will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping tourism,” said Mr. Bartlett, as he encouraged tech firms, innovators and entrepreneurs to recognize the immense value proposition of the tourism space. “Your expertise and creativity are needed to develop goods and services that will enhance visitor experiences, improve operational efficiencies, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry,” he advised.

Minister Bartlett urged the TechBeach partners and their global, regional and local sponsors: “Let us work together to harness the power of digital technologies, to empower our people, to captivate our visitors, and to elevate Jamaica’s position as a leader in tourism innovation.”

FALMOUTH, Jamaica; Friday, December 6, 2024: With Jamaica having welcomed 1.1 million cruise passengers since the start of the year, the 2024/2025 cruise tourism season got off to a strong start with ten vessels calling on the three main resort ports, with some 34,519 passengers and a combined crew of 13,137 between December 2 and 5, 2024.

The most recent vessels to dock created history for the port of Falmouth on Thursday December 5, when the Disney Treasure, the latest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, made its inaugural Caribbean call on that town, concurrently with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Celebrity Ascent also on its inaugural visit.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has hailed the early and robust start to the season as further proof of the recovery of the cruise sub-sector, which suffered a major setback in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a total shutdown of the sector for some 17 months. Major cruise lines had suspended operations from mid-March 2020 until August 2021 when they gradually began to resume visits with new health and safety protocols in place.

Minister Bartlett noted that the 1.1 million cruise passengers so far this year matched the record number secured in 2019, for the same period.

In an impromptu press conference on board Disney Treasure on Thursday, Mr. Bartlett stated that: “The cruise winter season has literally started this week and it has started with a bang. Today we have the historic double inauguration of two ships in a single port here in Falmouth.”

He said the close to 7,000 passengers on the two vessels was significant for a single day in Falmouth. Meanwhile, the Carnival Legend was docked in the Montego Bay Cruise Ship Pier with another 2,183 passengers and 918 crew members. 

The Minister noted that from December 2 to 4 the Falmouth port also had cruise calls from MSC Seascape, Independence of the Seas, Nieuw Amsterdam, Freedom of the Seas and another vessel. Ocho Rios had Carnival Horizon and Emerald Princess, while Montego Bay berthed Carnival Legend on December 5.

“The start of this season is early and strong and we’re anticipating maximum disembarkation. We’re told we’re up to 90 percent disembarkation now, and that’s good, so we’re looking forward to more activity in the towns Falmouth, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.

Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett headed a group of specially invited guests on a tour of Disney Treasure following a welcome reception and exchange of gifts with the ship’s Captain Marco Nogara who was supported by Co-captain Disney cartoon’s Minnie. Captain Nogara said “we’re here today and it will not be our last.” Disney Treasure will return to the Port of Falmouth in two weeks.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, December 5, 2024: The Ministry of Tourism is moving to position the hospitality sector to attract more luxurious developments similar to the US$450-million Montego Bay Pinnacle luxury lifestyle development currently under construction on the city’s western coastline.

“We are now looking at how to enable more of this type of investment that LCH Developments has brought to Jamaica,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett at a landmark conference on branded real estate development, hosted by the Pinnacle developers at the Montego Bay Convention Centre yesterday (December 4).

“This for us, is a pivotal point, and whilst we are going to be continuing to build out the elements of tourism that drive the demand for more production in various areas of the economy, we’re going to be placing concerted focus on luxury tourism as a critical part of the differentiation of the Jamaican experience,” he added.

Minister Bartlett said this was in keeping with the Blue Ocean Strategy for growth that the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies developed in 2021. That strategy speaks to reimagining Jamaica's tourism by identifying and establishing “innovative policies, systems, protocols, and standards that assure our visitors a safer, secure, and seamless experience, while building out a new national tourism model, based on a diversified portfolio of unique and authentic attractions and activities, which draw heavily on Jamaica's natural and cultural assets.”

Minister Bartlett envisaged that the Blue Ocean strategy would “lay the foundation for the emergence of a new, more inclusive form of tourism.” He told conference participants that “operating under the Blue Ocean Strategy demands of us that we pivot in this direction” and congratulated Pinnacle “as the new pioneer in this pivot.” 

He added that “we’re excited about the prospect of you being able to bring new demographics into Jamaica, but more importantly, to have Jamaicans investing in this whole area so that the ownership of tourism becomes more and more that of the people of Jamaica.”

Speaking to the need for “building out a luxury experience in Jamaica,” the tourism minister said “we have, in the last 20 years, tinkered around it and we really haven’t done enough to create that luxury experience with the kind of structure and the investment that is required for it. Also, the type of regulatory and legislative arrangements that surround it, so in the new approach that we’re looking at, we’re going to pivot.”

He posited that attracting this demographic in the tourism space would create more demand for goods and services from various sub-sectors, boosting consumption in both quantity and quality resulting in higher returns, which also offers more employment opportunities. He stated that: “we are going to have to zone our areas and develop specific areas for different types of products, St. Thomas is being positioned for luxury tourism development as well.”

Mr. Bartlett said with the four expansive 28-story Pinnacle towers, with 423 residences ranging from one-bedroom apartments to lavish penthouses, as well as 15 exclusive villas, LCH was setting the stage for that type of development. With news that a European company will soon be announced as the operator for the hotel-style services in three of the towers, Minister Bartlett said “we wanted to position you as being at the hub of this pivot in luxury tourism in Jamaica.”

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – December 04, 2024 – LATAM Airlines has successfully resumed flights between Lima, Peru and Montego Bay, Jamaica, marking a significant milestone in Caribbean-Latin American air connectivity. The first flight, which arrived at full capacity at Sangster International Airport on Sunday, December 01, 2024, represents a major step in Jamaica's strategic expansion into the Latin American market.

Operating three times weekly on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the route is projected to bring 45,000 visitors in its first year.

"We have managed this industry to world-class standards, doubling our arrivals in Jamaica in eight years. Even after facing the most existential threat to humanity with COVID, we have bounced back to 4.3 million visitors and US$4.5 billion in earnings," shared Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism.

The Minister added, "The South American market represents the next frontier for Jamaica's tourism growth. Through LATAM's Lima hub and our ongoing discussions with other carriers, we are positioning Jamaica to become the number one Caribbean destination for South American visitors."

Donovan White, Director of Tourism, noted, "This air connectivity represents more than just a new route - it is a gateway to the entire South American region and its collective population of over 700 million people. Through LATAM's extensive network operating from their Lima hub, connecting to over 20 destinations across South America, Jamaica becomes more accessible to millions of potential visitors."

The service launch was celebrated with ceremonies in both Lima and Montego Bay, attended by government officials from both countries, aviation executives, and tourism stakeholders. Plans are already in place to increase the frequency to daily service by summer 2025.

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, November 28, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was awarded the prestigious Gusi Peace Prize in Manila on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the global tourism industry. This distinguished accolade, often referred to as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize, celebrates excellence in various fields, including peace, human rights, politics, science, and the arts. Minister Bartlett’s award highlights his leadership in championing tourism resilience and sustainability, particularly in small island developing states, and underscores his commitment to advancing global cooperation in the tourism sector.

The award comes as part of the ongoing four-day Gusi Peace Prize event, which will conclude on November 28, 2024, and sees global figures from various sectors gathered to network and explore solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

In expressing his gratitude after accepting the award, Minister Bartlett said:
“Receiving the Gusi Peace Prize is a humbling and deeply inspiring honour. This recognition belongs not just to me but to the people of Jamaica, whose innovation, resilience, and cultural richness are at the heart of all I do. It highlights how tourism, when approached thoughtfully, can transform communities and inspire unity worldwide.”

On the margins of the awards ceremony, Minister Bartlett also led a series of high-level discussions with representatives of the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, focusing on the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster greater cooperation between the two countries in the tourism industry. The proposed MOU will focus on several key areas that will drive mutual growth and innovation.

Minister Bartlett highlighted the importance of human capital development as a key pillar of the potential agreement, citing the Philippines’ success in training over 170,000 tourism workers annually. He noted that this collaboration would help Jamaica strengthen its tourism workforce by enhancing service excellence across the island.
“The Department of Tourism in the Philippines has done remarkable work in training tourism workers and certifying them in service excellence. We look forward to collaborating with them to further strengthen service excellence in Jamaica, which is at the core of the visitor experience,” he added.

Additionally, the proposed MOU will address craft development, where both countries will exchange expertise in utilizing indigenous materials to create value-added products. Minister Bartlett expressed excitement about the potential for Jamaican artisans to explore new creative possibilities, particularly through the exchange of knowledge with Filipino artisans who have successfully used local resources such as pineapple and banana fibres to create garments and other items. Concerning this, the tourism minister noted: “Our artisans can benefit immensely from learning how to transform waste and widely available materials, such as coffee and bananas, into high-quality products. The Philippines has done marvellous work in this area, and we look forward to collaborating with them to bring new value to our own rich natural resources.”

Furthermore, the MOU will also prioritize sustainability and resilience initiatives, with the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the University of Manila. Minister Bartlett emphasized that this collaboration would strengthen efforts to build more resilient tourism frameworks and improve sustainability across both nations. The two countries also discussed enhancing community tourism, with Minister Bartlett suggesting that there is great potential for collaboration in developing village tourism—a model which has seen success in the Philippines and could further enrich Jamaica’s own community-based tourism initiatives.

The discussions also touched on the potential for improved air connectivity between Jamaica and the Philippines, with opportunities to connect Jamaica with key destinations in Asia, including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. The tourism minister noted that these efforts could significantly increase tourism arrivals, benefiting both countries’ economies.

Minister Bartlett concluded by announcing that the Secretary of Tourism for the Philippines, Hon. Christina Garcia-Frasco, is expected to visit Jamaica in February 2025, where the details of the MOU will be further discussed, and an agreement finalized during the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference. The conference is slated to be held from February 17-19, 2025, at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Negril.