Wed | Mar 4, 2026

Jamaica wins six PATWA travel awards; Bartlett named Tourism Minister of the Year

Published:Wednesday | March 4, 2026 | 5:43 PM
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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), shares a moment with S Hotel’s CEO Christopher Issa, the company’s UK representative Victoria Cranmer, and PATWA Secretary General Yatan Ahluwalia during the awards presentation at ITB Berlin in
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), shares a moment with S Hotel’s CEO Christopher Issa, the company’s UK representative Victoria Cranmer, and PATWA Secretary General Yatan Ahluwalia during the awards presentation at ITB Berlin in Germany on March 4, 2026. 
Executive Director of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Mureen James, displays the two awards she and her team won at the PATWA International Travel Awards at ITB Berlin in Germany on March 4, 2026. 
Executive Director of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Mureen James, displays the two awards she and her team won at the PATWA International Travel Awards at ITB Berlin in Germany on March 4, 2026. 
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Jamaica was named Destination of the Year and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett crowned Tourism Minister of the Year Worldwide as the country secured six honours at the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards in Germany on Wednesday.

The awards were presented during the PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit, held alongside the global tourism trade show ITB Berlin.

Bartlett was recognised for his global advocacy for tourism resilience and sustainable industry development.

Jamaican hotelier Christopher Issa, CEO of S Hotels Jamaica, received the PATWA International Travel Award for Excellence in Hospitality Innovation (Jamaica). His company also captured the award for Best Boutique Hotels – Authentic Experiences (Caribbean).

Mureen James, Executive Director of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, received one of two PATWA awards for Excellence in Hospitality in the Caribbean.

Under her leadership, the Montego Bay Convention Centre has earned the World Travel Awards title for Caribbean’s Leading Meeting and Conference Centre 15 times.

The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association, founded in 1999, recognises excellence across the global travel and tourism industry.

ITB Berlin is considered the world's leading travel trade show, a major platform for the tourism industry, bringing together over 6,000 exhibitors from over 160 countries.

-Janet Silvera

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