Minister Ed Bartlett named among Top 100 Travel and Tourism leaders for 2026
Key Points(5)
- Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has been named to the prestigious Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Edition – Class of 2026.
- According to a release, the announcement was made by MIPAD on Global Africa Day, in partnership with The Pyne Awards Africa.
- The annual list recognises 100 global leaders of African descent who are shaping the future of aviation, destination marketing, cultural storytelling, and hospitality.
- “This recognition is not just for me, but for Jamaica and for the people whose warmth, culture and resilience make our island the heart of global tourism,” the minister said.
- Under Minister Bartlett’s leadership, Jamaica’s tourism sector has been recognised internationally for innovation in health and safety protocols, community tourism and global partnerships that position the Caribbean as a premier, year-round destination.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has been named to the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Edition – Class of 2026, a list that highlights global leaders shaping the future of the industry.
The announcement was made on Global Africa Day by Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in partnership with The Pyne Awards Africa. The annual recognition celebrates 100 individuals of African descent who are influencing aviation, destination marketing, cultural storytelling and hospitality worldwide.
Bartlett’s selection was framed as a reflection of Jamaica’s long-standing influence in global tourism and his work in areas such as sustainable tourism development, diaspora engagement and destination resilience.
“This recognition is not just for me, but for Jamaica and for the people whose warmth, culture and resilience make our island the heart of global tourism,” Bartlett said. “Tourism must continue to be a vehicle for empowerment, for telling our stories and for connecting the African diaspora to opportunity.”
The honourees will be formally recognised at upcoming MIPAD events, including Diaspora Week in Lagos and celebrations in New York, scheduled between October 2026 and January 2027.
Edmund Bartlett has held a long and influential career in Jamaican public life. He first served as Minister of Tourism from 2007 to 2011, before returning to the portfolio in 2016 following the Jamaica Labour Party’s election victory, and has remained in the role since. He has also previously served in other senior government positions, including in youth, sports and community development, and as a senator and opposition spokesperson on tourism and related portfolios.
Under his leadership, the Ministry of Tourism Jamaica has pushed initiatives focused on innovation in health and safety protocols, community tourism and international partnerships aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s position as a year-round destination.
