The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, OJ, CD, MP, is Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. Widely recognized for his extensive expertise and accomplishments in public service, Minister Bartlett has dedicated more than 35 years to the development of Jamaica, serving with distinction in both chambers of Parliament—the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Minister Bartlett was first appointed Minister of Tourism in 2007, serving until December 2011. Prior to this appointment, he established a strong record of public service, holding several key positions, including Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and Culture in the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Development from 1980 to 1989. He later served as a Senator and Opposition Spokesman on various portfolios, including Tourism, from 1989 to 2007. Following his first tenure as Minister of Tourism, he continued to strengthen Jamaica’s global tourism partnerships while serving in the Opposition. He returned as Minister of Tourism in February 2016 following the Jamaica Labour Party’s electoral victory and continues to lead the sector’s development.
Beyond his ministerial responsibilities, Minister Bartlett has been a passionate advocate for education, skills training, and job creation, particularly within his constituency of East Central St. James. He has championed scholarship programmes for students and teachers and has worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the elderly and persons with disabilities.
A respected global tourism leader, Minister Bartlett has represented Jamaica at regional and international levels and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Affiliate Members of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). He is the first individual to have served on the executive bodies of both the public and private sector arms of the organization. During his first tenure as Tourism Minister, he served as Vice Chairman of the UNWTO Executive Council for the Americas and as Vice President of the 19th UNWTO General Assembly held in South Korea in 2011.
A graduate of The University of the West Indies with a major in Accounting, Minister Bartlett held senior management positions in accounting, marketing, and sales with major multinational companies operating in Jamaica before entering elective politics. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation have earned him international recognition as one of the Caribbean’s most influential tourism leaders.