Jamaica has confirmed the return of the Honorable Edmund Bartlett MP as minister of tourism.
His return comes after last month’s victory at the polls by the Jamaica Labour Party.
Bartlett, a marketing executive and long-standing Parliamentarian, served as minister of tourism from 2007 to 2011, as well as Opposition spokesman on tourism and more recently, foreign affairs.
He has also served as a member of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
On taking up the role again, Minister Bartlett said his administration will provide renewed support for the development of South Coast adventure and eco-tourism.
He began his second stint in the role by meeting with the US Ambassador to Jamaica Luis Moreno.
On the agenda was the issue of preclearance privileges to Jamaica allowing US Border inspection and clearance to take place prior to US arrival.
"It is crucial for us to strengthen the relationship between Jamaica and the United States. I am convinced that once this is done it will help to drive investment in the sector and open doors for the entry of more US brands in the local tourism industry," the minister said.
US preclearance facilities are already established in several nations in the region including The Bahamas, Bermuda, Aruba and the Dominican Republic
