The Jamaica Ministry of Tourism is recording unprecedented success in youth engagement, innovation, and abilities coaching because it accelerates efforts to make tourism a dynamic engine of alternative for all Jamaicans.
This was underscored by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, throughout his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament not too long ago. Minister Bartlett, outlined a collection of groundbreaking accomplishments below the theme “Thrive in 2025: Linking Tourism to Each Jamaican’s Success.”
One of many clearest indicators of this inclusive imaginative and prescient is the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) Tourism Innovation Incubator, which Minister Bartlett described as a “exceptional success.” The 2024 cohort obtained 222 purposes between April 12 and Might 6, representing a 553% improve in comparison with 2022. From these, nineteen excellent groups superior, creating cutting-edge enterprise concepts spanning digital actuality experiences, underwater tourism, transportation improvements, sustainability options, and AI-powered customer personalization instruments.
“These entrepreneurs have participated in an intensive boot camp in partnership with TechBeach Retreat.”
“They targeted on digital prototyping, enterprise growth, and market analysis to organize for the profitable commercialization of their improvements,” Minister Bartlett famous. He highlighted that this system culminated in a pitch occasion the place entrepreneurs engaged potential traders and companions to show their concepts into actuality.
Among the many standout success tales is Dr. Duane Chambers, winner of TEF’s 2023 Tourism Innovation Incubator, who used his healthcare background to launch Caribbean Entrance Desk, a platform that unites cultural and medical wellness. “Caribbean Entrance Desk revitalizes Jamaica’s wellness id by driving measurable financial profit by way of wellness vacationer spending and enterprise alternatives for native suppliers. In essence, the Incubator has facilitated the transition from idea to execution, positioning Caribbean Entrance Desk as a flagship innovation in Jamaica’s tourism transformation,” mentioned Minister Bartlett.
Equally important are the Ministry’s achievements in human capital growth, led by the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), a division of TEF. Minister Bartlett famous that since its inception in 2017, “the JCTI has licensed over 20,000 employees by way of internationally benchmarked certification in partnership with Jamaica Resort & Vacationer Affiliation (JHTA), HEART NSTA Belief, American Resort & Lodging Academic Institute (AHLEI), and American Culinary Federation (ACF).”
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the JCTI registered 3,100 candidates, of which 2,746 earned certification, reflecting an excellent 89% go fee. “No vacation spot can succeed with out expert, skilled, and passionate folks delivering distinctive experiences to guests,” the tourism minister affirmed.
Bartlett additional famous that numerous types of certification had been earned throughout a number of establishments: 1,995 by way of the AHLEI and the Nationwide Restaurant Affiliation; 686 by way of HEART NSTA Belief, and 65 by way of the ACF. “Our Visitor Service Gold program produced 1,289 Licensed Visitor Service Professionals. This exhibits our dedication to elevating the customer expertise by way of service excellence,” Minister Bartlett reported.
The tourism minister additionally revealed that TEF’s Summer time Internship Program continues to play a key position in bridging the hole between training and employment. “In 2024, we obtained over 16,000 purposes and efficiently positioned over 1,120 interns with 167 employers. These younger folks gained priceless trade expertise {and professional} certifications that put together them for management roles in Jamaica’s tourism future,” Minister Bartlett disclosed.
