KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2021: Southwest Airlines executives on Wednesday (September 22) at their Dallas, Texas headquarters, informed Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett that their flight operations into Montego Bay in coming weeks and months are very close to 2019 pre-pandemic record levels, signalling increased demand for destination Jamaica by US travellers.

Southwest, is one of the largest airlines in the United States and is the world's largest low-cost carrier airline. It operates non-stop flights between the major US international airports of Houston (Hobby), Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, Washington, Orlando, Chicago (Midway), St. Louis and Montego Bay.

The Minister was joined in the meeting by Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Senior Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright and Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Donnie Dawson. They are holding a series of meetings with a wide range of travel industry leaders across Jamaica’s largest source markets, the United States and Canada, to increase arrivals to the destination in coming weeks and months as well as foster further investment in the tourism sector.

Bartlett detailed Jamaica’s successful reopening last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the establishment of the Resilient Corridors, globally recognised as COVID safe for visitors and Jamaicans alike, and the importance of the strong partnership between Jamaica and Southwest Airlines in growing the nation’s tourism sector in these difficult times.

Southwest’s, Senior Director for Strategic Planning & Airline Partnerships, Steven Swan, noted that Jamaica has been “thoughtful”, “clear”, “easy to communicate with” and boasts “good load factors”. The Airline’s executives also noted that whilst the Delta variant of COVID-19 has caused a “dip” in domestic and international travel demand, they continue to perform well and are very confident about future growth.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 22, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, along with other senior tourism officials, will be participating in a series of meetings in the island’s two largest source markets, the United States and Canada, beginning tomorrow, in an effort to increase arrivals to the destination as well as foster further investment in the tourism sector.

Bartlett noted that the trip is critical, as data received by the Ministry indicate that the demand for travel to Jamaica has fallen within the last 7 days. He believes that “this is as a result of the challenges posed by the third wave of COVID-19 impacting the island, as well as, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent Level 4 classification, given to Jamaica for having very high-levels of COVID-19.”

“Jamaica remains a safe destination and we want to reassure our tourism interests of this. A key factor is our Tourism Resilience Corridors, which have a low infection rate of less than 1%. Our product remains strong and is indeed top of mind, despite the challenges. We will therefore continue to drive the marketing arrangements to minimise any possible fallout,” said Bartlett.

A series of meetings have been planned to engage tourism partners, media and other stakeholders in the USA and Canada, to reassure and bolster confidence in their continued investment projects and the marketing of the destination.  

The Minister, who left the island today, along with the Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch, as well as Senior Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright, will meet with major tourism investors. 

While in the United States, the team of tourism officials are also scheduled to meet with executives from American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. They will also meet with officials from major cruise-lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival as well as executives from Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel agency in the world, the third largest travel company in the US, and the fourth largest travel company in the world.

Other meetings in Canada will focus on marketing and will span all key partners including airlines, such as Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Transat and Swoop. Likewise, they will meet with tour operators, tourism investors, trade and mainstream media and key Diaspora stakeholders.

“We want to assure our partners, and our visitors that we are doing all that we can to ensure that their visit to the island will indeed be a safe one. Our protocols are in place to ensure that you will be able to visit our attractions and have an authentic Jamaican experience, but in a safe and seamless way,” he said.

“We have been ramping up efforts to ensure that our tourism workers are fully vaccinated and have seen much success from this initiative.  Therefore, you can rest assured that visitors are in a safe environment. In fact our safety standards and protocols are highly celebrated worldwide and were key to us being able to welcome over 1 million visitors since we reopened our borders,” said Bartlett.

Minister Bartlett and the other members of the team, are slated to return to the island on October 3, 2021.

TREASURE BEACH, St Elizabeth; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is lauding the South Coast’s renowned resort complex, Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat on achieving 100 percent staff take up of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

They are the first and only establishment in Jamaica so far to have accomplished this under the tourism vaccination initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association working in tandem with the Private Sector Vaccination Initiative.

In hailing Jakes and its staff, Minister Bartlett said, “I commend Jakes for setting the pace in the drive to get all tourism workers vaccinated. The tourism industry is on the rebound globally and travellers are looking for COVID-safe destinations for their travel experiences. If we are to achieve maximum returns our tourism workers must demonstrate their commitment to protecting themselves, their co-workers, their families and our visitors by taking the lifesaving vaccine.”

Other establishments on the South Coast participating in the vaccination initiative are said to be at levels between 40 and 70 percent, mostly with a first of two dose vaccines.

In highlighting the “Jakes Family” accomplishment, Jason Henzell, Chairman of Jakes Hotel, Villas & Spa said: “We are proud of our staff of 125 persons achieving this milestone. Jakes strives to be a good steward of community tourism, knowing that the health and safety of our staff and guests, as well as the wider community of Treasure Beach, and in fact Jamaica and the world as a whole, are of great importance to us as a resort destination.”

Relating how it was accomplished, Mr Henzell said it was by doing “whatever it takes and meeting them wherever” they feel comfortable. “We’ve been spending a lot of time with our staff with regards to educating them on the history of vaccination in Jamaica and the efficacy of each of the COVID-19 vaccines. We arranged for them to meet with doctors, making appointments for them, arranging transportation and even picking them up at their houses, some of them in my own car,” he disclosed.

Mr. Henzell also underlined the importance of being empathetic, as shaming persons would only serve to push them away. He was pleased that adopting a caring, understanding approach worked, adding: “We’re very proud and we think it will mean a lot to the travel trade.”

Regarding the national drive to get tourism workers vaccinated, Mr Henzell said: “A lot boils down to trust, not rushing them through the process and giving them any reason to feel intimidated.” He added: “If we are to follow all of the research and all the statistics that have been published, becoming vaccinated gives you a much higher success rate of getting through terrible days of COVID if you become infected, so I strongly suggest that you consider the vaccine and even speak to your doctor about which one might be best suited for you.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that two cruise ships will call on the Ocho Rios Port this week. This development the Minister underscores, is further evidence of the growing demand for destination Jamaica and the success of efforts to reopen the tourism sector.

“The award winning MSC Meraviglia returns to the Port of Ocho Rios on Tuesday September 21 for the first of five calls up to November. Although it has a carrying capacity of approximately 7,000 passengers and crew, it will be docking with some 2,833 persons onboard due to COVID-19 protocols,” Minister Bartlett explained.

The MSC Meraviglia was the last cruise ship to dock in Jamaica in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing the closure of the island’s international borders.

The other vessel setting sail for Jamaica, to also dock in Ocho Rios, is the Carnival Sunrise on its return trip on Wednesday September 22. The Carnival Sunrise was the first vessel to visit the island as Jamaica reopened to cruise tourism on Monday, August 16 and will be making some 11 calls up to December. 

“Cruise shipping is critical to the recovery of the tourism sector, and we are seeing a welcome return of vessels with the recognition that Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors offer a safe environment for our visitors, tourism workers and the general population,” expressed Minister Bartlett.

“With the return of stopover visitor arrivals since June 2020, we have been seeing steady growth towards pre-COVID-19 levels and now that the cruise shipping industry is back onstream, we are looking forward to significant growth in our numbers,” he adds.

Mr. Bartlett says Jamaica is well prepared for cruise ship calls as all the requirements have been put in place to meet both international and local Ministry of Health and Wellness COVID-19 protocols, and passengers are limited to moving within the Resilient Corridors.

“I must underscore that the cruise ships have to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett stressed.

Based on schedules to date, Minister Bartlett says Jamaica is expecting some 20 cruise ship calls before year-end.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that two cruise ships will call on the Ocho Rios Port this week. This development the Minister underscores, is further evidence of the growing demand for destination Jamaica and the success of efforts to reopen the tourism sector.

“The award winning MSC Meraviglia returns to the Port of Ocho Rios on Tuesday September 21 for the first of five calls up to November. Although it has a carrying capacity of approximately 7,000 passengers and crew, it will be docking with some 2,833 persons onboard due to COVID-19 protocols,” Minister Bartlett explained.

The MSC Meraviglia was the last cruise ship to dock in Jamaica in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing the closure of the island’s international borders.

The other vessel setting sail for Jamaica, to also dock in Ocho Rios, is the Carnival Sunrise on its return trip on Wednesday September 22. The Carnival Sunrise was the first vessel to visit the island as Jamaica reopened to cruise tourism on Monday, August 16 and will be making some 11 calls up to December. 

“Cruise shipping is critical to the recovery of the tourism sector, and we are seeing a welcome return of vessels with the recognition that Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors offer a safe environment for our visitors, tourism workers and the general population,” expressed Minister Bartlett.

“With the return of stopover visitor arrivals since June 2020, we have been seeing steady growth towards pre-COVID-19 levels and now that the cruise shipping industry is back onstream, we are looking forward to significant growth in our numbers,” he adds.

Mr. Bartlett says Jamaica is well prepared for cruise ship calls as all the requirements have been put in place to meet both international and local Ministry of Health and Wellness COVID-19 protocols, and passengers are limited to moving within the Resilient Corridors.

“I must underscore that the cruise ships have to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett stressed.

Based on schedules to date, Minister Bartlett says Jamaica is expecting some 20 cruise ship calls before year-end.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 16, 2021:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance for global tourism policy makers and industry leaders to activate a more proactive and decisive approach, to enhance the sector’s resilience.

“Overall, the pandemic has reminded tourism policy makers and industry leaders that they are equally crisis managers. This necessitates a posture that understands and accepts the imminence of various threats to the sector and the resultant need to activate a proactive approach to enhancing its readiness to meet the challenges of the present and future,” said Bartlett.

He suggested that this decisive leadership should be underscored by meaningful partnerships and synergies; data-driven policies; innovative thinking and adaptation and human capacity-building. Other considerations can include aggressive approaches to product diversification; the establishment of effective, real-time information systems; and a commitment to sustainable tourism development that balances multi-interests and future considerations whether economic, social, human, cultural and indeed, environmental.

The Minister made these remarks during a panel discussion at the highly anticipated ‘A World for Travel – Évora Forum,’ a global sustainable travel industry event, which began today in Évora, Portugal.  

The panel discussion focused on the theme “Covid-19: A Resilient Sector Drives to a New Deal with New Leadership Demands,” and was moderated by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News. The session explored how governments and industry step up with leadership in a congruous manner allowing the sector to influence policy.  

The Minister was joined by His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State for Tourism, France; His Excellency Fernando Valdès Verelst, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain; and His Excellency Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt. 

During his presentation Minister Bartlett also highlighted that the pandemic has underscored the importance for the tourism sector to establish a task force or an action committee that can be immediately activated at the onset of a crisis.

“This critical asset provides important advantages in crisis management experiences with respect to ensuring swift responses, targetted communication, balance of information between warning and assurance and general cross-sectorial cooperation and collaborations, which allows for the leveraging of diverse strengths, skills and resources to achieve common goals.  As a result of strengthened relationships among stakeholders, the capacity to identify risks early and implement effective mitigation and recovery strategies is also likely to be enhanced,” said Bartlett. 

The organizers have noted that the first edition of the “A World for Travel – Évora Forum” will focus on key components of the industry where change is mandatory, identifying the steps that need to be taken and consolidating solutions to be implemented.  

The conference will approach themes intrinsic to sustainability such as economic model variations, climate impact, tourism’s environmental impact, coastal and marine shifts as well as agricultural and carbon neutral policies.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 14, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is set to participate in the highly anticipated ‘A World for Travel – Évora Forum,’ a global sustainable travel industry event, scheduled for September 16 and 17 in Évora, Portugal.

The event is being organized by Eventiz Media Group, the largest travel media group in France, in partnership with the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council. The event is also being hosted with the support of Visit Portugal, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Jamaican based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).

It will bring global leaders, from both the public and private sectors, together to discuss ways they can transform the travel and tourism industry and examine the way forward in making the tourism industry more sustainable.

Minister Bartlett is set to participate in a high-level panel discussion on “Covid-19: A Resilient Sector Drives to a New Deal with New Leadership Demands,” being moderated by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News. The session will explore how governments and industry step up with leadership in a congruous manner allowing the sector to influence policy.

The Minister will be joined by His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State for Tourism, France; His Excellency Fernando Valdès Verelst, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain; and His Excellency Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Other speakers for the event include Prof. Hal Vogel, author, Professor of travel economics, Columbia University; Julia Simpson, President and CEO, WTTC; Therese Turner-Jones, General Manager, Caribbean Country Department, Inter-American Development Bank and Rita Marques, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Co-Chair of the GTRCMC and Former Secretary General of the UNWTO and Prof. Lloyd Waller, Executive Director, GTRCMC are also confirmed speakers.

The organizers have noted that the first edition of the event will focus on key components of the industry where change is mandatory, identifying the steps that need to be taken and consolidating solutions to be implemented.

The conference will approach themes intrinsic to sustainability such as economic model variations, climate impact, tourism’s environmental impact, coastal and marine shifts as well as agricultural and carbon neutral policies.

The event will have an in-person attendance limitation of 350 attendees but will also be streamed live to thousands of virtual delegates. Minister Bartlett leaves the island today, September 14, and is slated to return on September 19.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 12, 2021: The Carnival Sunrise cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Ocho Rios on Monday, September 13, 2021 with approximately 1,700 cruise passengers onboard.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, outlined that “this will be the third cruise ship arrival following the reopening of cruise tourism in August 2021.  The schedule for the cruise season had been agreed on with Carnival Cruise Line prior to the imposition of the no-movement days under the Disaster Risk Management Act.”

“The two previous cruise arrivals in August were successful and all the required protocols that had been agreed on with the cruise line were very strictly observed and monitored,” he added.

Minister Bartlett explained that the protocols and strict monitoring will remain in place for this and subsequent cruise ship calls. Arriving cruise visitors are permitted to visit only establishments within the Resilient Corridors that are certified by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and permitted to travel only on transportation licensed under the Tourist Board Act.

“Carnival Sunrise has to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett underscored.

Minister Bartlett also emphasized that the port of call has met protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the cruise companies, with TPDCo also monitoring conformity to the rules.

“The Cabinet made a decision to facilitate the cruise arrival on a no-movement day to honour our agreement with Carnival Cruise Line. We are confident that the robust protocols and controls that have been put in place are sufficient to keep both our population and the arriving passengers safe” Minister Bartlett added.

He noted that: “In our quest to protect lives and livelihoods, the Government seeks to maintain Jamaica’s position as the premier cruise destination in the region while working closely with our cruise partners to maintain the highest standards of safety.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 11, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and other tourism officials are mourning the passing of well-known and beloved singer, Karen Smith. Smith, who performed for decades as a cabaret singer across all resort areas, passed away earlier today.

“The entire tourism sector mourns the passing of Karen Smith who brought a wonderful spark and professionalism to her performances. I offer my sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,” said Minister Bartlett. “Karen became a household name in tourism and the wider Jamaica with her bubbly persona and distinct voice,” added Minister Bartlett.

“I am truly proud to have been a friend of Karen, she certainly was the epitome of grace, charm and creativity. Her songs have not only charmed so many of us but have created a sense of solace to so many persons in various circumstances. She will also be remembered for the excellent leadership she provided to the music fraternity,” he expressed.

Smith is a former president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliates Union and was the recipient of the Order of Distinction at the rank of Officer.

“Karen became synonymous with entertainment in tourism and was a go to performer for many events in the sector. You knew that once Karen was booked, the performance would be seamless and engaging,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

Known for songs including ‘Paradise’, ‘I Sought the Lord’ and ‘I Could Fall’, Smith was also one third of the group, Pakage, which included singers Gem Myers and Patricia Edwards.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 9, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the relatives and friends of St. Ann hotelier, Richard Salm, who died in a motor vehicle crash yesterday, along the Llandovery main road in St. Ann.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Mr. Richard Salm. We remain grateful for his decision to make Jamaica his home and more importantly for dedicating much of his life to serving the people of Jamaica through tourism and community development. He was indeed a stalwart in the industry and an outstanding human being,” said Bartlett.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, including all of us in the tourism industry, I would like to extend our sincere compassion and support to the family and friends of Mr. Salm. May the Lord provide you comfort during this time of grief and may his soul rest in peace,” he added.

Salm was the owner of Club Caribbean Hotel in Runaway Bay, and managing director of Drax Hall Estate, also in St. Ann. He also led the development of Ironshore in Montego Bay, which has an 18-hole golf course. 

In 1994 he and his wife, founded the Glen Preparatory School in their backyard in Salem, sponsoring the children of the staff members of his hotel. The school has since been expanded and is now located in Discovery Bay, St. Ann.

He was recognised for his contribution to national development in 2019 at the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King’s House, where he was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for service to Tourism, Winter Sports Promotion, and Community Development.