The leadership of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), led by President O’Brian Heron and members of the Association’s Executive, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism,  Edmund Bartlett, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on July 16, 2026.

The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and the JHTA and provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue on the future of Jamaica’s tourism industry. Discussions centred on strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to support sustainable growth, enhance the destination’s global competitiveness and ensure the industry continues to deliver meaningful economic benefits for all Jamaicans.

The exchange also explored broad issues affecting the tourism landscape, including opportunities to diversify Jamaica’s visitor markets, strengthen industry standards, support the continued development of tourism enterprises of all sizes, and encourage greater innovation, resilience and investment across the sector. Both parties emphasised the importance of maintaining open communication and working collaboratively to address emerging challenges while identifying opportunities for continued growth.

JHTA President O’Brian Heron reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies to advance initiatives that strengthen the tourism product and enhance Jamaica’s position as a world-class destination.

“The JHTA values the strong relationship we have built with the Ministry of Tourism over the years. Regular engagement and open dialogue are essential to ensuring that we remain aligned on the issues that matter most to our members and to the continued success of the industry. We look forward to working together to identify practical solutions that support sustainable growth, encourage investment and ensure Jamaica remains competitive in an evolving global tourism marketplace,” Heron said.

The courtesy call underscored the shared commitment of the Ministry of Tourism and the JHTA to fostering collaboration, advancing strategic priorities and building a stronger, more resilient and inclusive tourism sector that continues to drive national development.