Bartlett unveils Tourism 3.0 as nurses return to UHWI and opposition presses wider republic reforms

Jamaica's tourism industry is moving into a new development stage as Minister Edmund Bartlett used his sectoral debate presentation in Parliament on Wednesday, June 24, to outline Tourism 3.0, a framework designed to spread benefits beyond visitor counts and hotel expansion.

Bartlett said the sector's earlier 5 by 5 by 5 growth plan had achieved its goals for arrivals, earnings, and jobs. The ministry's next target is the 10 by 10 by 10 programme: 10 million visitors, US$10 billion in earnings, and stronger employment over 10 years. Ten strategic pillars will connect tourism with agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, culture, wellness, technology, and community enterprise so more Jamaican produce, goods, workers, and entrepreneurs share in the gains.

Nurses at the University Hospital of the West Indies returned to duty Tuesday afternoon after protesting overcrowding, staff shortages, and poor working conditions. Nurses Association of Jamaica President Don Marie Richards said care was not disrupted and that management met staff to address their concerns. Nurses had reported for work but refused regular assignments, citing inadequate staffing and missing equipment and medication in the accident and emergency department. One nurse told reporters, "If you have one nurse to 20 patients, some of those patients are going to be left to die."

Opposition spokesperson on youth and human rights Isaac Buchanan said Jamaica's shift toward republic status should also end appeals to the United Kingdom Privy Council and vest final jurisdiction in the Caribbean Court of Justice. He argued that "to free ourselves of the crown while keeping a British court as our court of last resort is to change the symbol and keep the substance," and pressed for term limits, fixed election dates, and stronger protection of democratic institutions and Charter rights.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon said participation in the 2026 Berlin Climate Mobility Forum has advanced efforts to secure grant funding for an early warning system with sirens, flood gauges, smart transmitters, and evacuation plans, following major flooding in 2017 and severe impacts linked to Hurricane Melissa.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange launched a micro market offering micro and small enterprises a regulated route to raise between J$50 million and J$100 million in equity, with a five-year income tax holiday and a 50% concession in years six through 10. JN Bank reported net profit of J$1.45 billion for the year ending March 31, up from J$439 million, with customer deposits rising to just under J$234 billion.

Triple jumper Jordan Scott, who leads Diamond League standings with 22 points after a lifetime best of 17.69 metres in Doha, is pursuing Jonathan Edwards' 18.29-metre world record and a place at the September finals in Brussels. In regional news, Belize Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler said talks continue with carriers after Spirit Airlines and JetBlue withdrew, though high departure fees remain a barrier for low-cost operators.