Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is a transformative leader who is recognized globally for his wide-ranging expertise and accomplishments in both tourism and politics.

Hands-on leadership, innovative thinking and a passion for effecting positive change have been hallmarks of Mr. Bartlett’s over forty years of successful service to Jamaica. Whether providing strategic guidance to his portfolio Ministry, overseeing the expansion of Jamaica’s tourism industry or representing the interests of his constituency, he always seeks to add value and unearth opportunities.

Mr. Bartlett was first appointed Minister of Tourism in 2007, serving until December 2011. Before this, he already had a solid record of accomplishment as an outstanding legislator in central government in both Chambers of Parliament. He served as Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting & Culture in the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, Sports & Community Development from 1980 to 1989; later he served as Senator and Opposition Spokesman on various portfolios, including Tourism, from 1989 to 2007.

While serving in the shadow Cabinet following his first stint as Tourism Minister, Mr. Bartlett travelled the world forging alliances with strategic partners for global initiatives. He returned to the helm of the Ministry of Tourism following the 2016 general elections.

Under Minister Bartlett’s leadership, tourism has been positioned as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive growth, through job creation, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), wealth creation and community transformation. He fervently believes that all Jamaicans should benefit from the success of this major economic earner.

In this regard, he has championed the development of a social equity ecosystem that will give industry workers a greater sense of accomplishment, achievement and security. Human capital development through the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI); the game-changing Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS); the Grange Pen housing development, which provides tourism workers with suitable and affordable housing; and the Tourism Innovation Incubator, which was established to nurture new and start-up enterprises within the tourism sector, are all ground-breaking initiatives championed by Minister Bartlett towards this objective.

Mr. Bartlett is an internationally regarded spokesperson and tireless advocate for global tourism resilience. He represents leadership in action. He sees the gaps and fills them. Seeing the need for a central body dedicated to conducting policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management and recovery due to disruptions and crises that impact tourism, Minister Bartlett founded the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) in 2018. As Co-chair, Minister Bartlett has guided the GTRCMC’s expansion beyond its headquarters in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies (Mona). With satellite centres now in Africa, North America and the Middle East, the Centre provides its members with a global network of tourism resilience experts, crisis communication firms and sustainable tourism development professionals.

His influence on the international stage was evident when in February 2023 the United Nations ratified Jamaica’s efforts to bolster resilience in world tourism by officially designating February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually. The day emphasizes the importance of building tourism resilience across the world to fuel sustainable growth and development.

He cemented his status as one of the best minds on tourism resilience and sustainability with the book: “Tourism Resilience and Recovery for Global Sustainability and Development: Navigating COVID-19 and the Future”, which he co-edited with GTRCMC Executive Director, Professor Lloyd Waller. Mr. Bartlett has since authored two new books, firstly an academic reflection dubbed: "Thought Leadership on Tourism Resilience and Sustainability in the 21st Century and a personal coffee table book, entitled: "The Journey. The Service. The Man. Edmund Bartlett’s Time Capsule (1980-2022)."

As one of the world’s leading Tourism Ministers, Mr. Bartlett has represented Jamaica regionally and internationally. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Affiliate Members of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Vice Chairman of the UNWTO Executive Council; Vice Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Chair of the UNWTO Regional Commission of the Americas (CAM). He is currently the Chair of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR) and the Second Vice Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council. 

In recognition of the strength and impact of his work in tourism and resilience building, Mr. Bartlett has copped numerous awards, including:

• 2023 Caribbean National Weekly Man of the Year
• Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards “Lifetime Achievement Award For Promotion of Sustainable Travel & Tourism” (2023)
• Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) President’s Award for Caribbean Excellence in Tourism (2023)
• Global Travel Hall of Fame Inductee (2022)
• Travel Pulse Award for Global Tourism Innovation (2022)
• 2019 Travvy Awards Chairman’s Award for Global Tourism Innovation
• RJRGleaner Hospitality Jamaica 2019 Pioneer Award
• 2017 Caribbean Travel Awards Caribbean Tourism Minister, and the
• Pacific Area Travel Writers Association's (PATWA) Tourism Minister of the Year for Sustainable Tourism for 2018

Beyond his ministerial duties, Mr. Bartlett has continually championed the advancement of education, skills training and job creation as ways of improving the lives of his constituents in East Central St. James. He sees education as a force for transformation and has, therefore, focused his efforts on creating scholarships for both students and teachers, thus raising the bar for academic achievement. He has also worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the elderly and disabled in his constituency. Minister Bartlett has been married for 50 years and has one child and two grandchildren. His passions include cricket, dominoes and dancing.