TOURISM Minister Edmund Bartlett, sounding coy about the September 3, 2025 election results, said Sunday that his speech to visiting travel advisors at their Caribbean Showcase 2025 could be one of his last in this tenure.

“Forgive me to indulge a little bit in a state of play analysis, as it were, and then a little bit of the future where we go. And I ask you to forgive me, because the season I’m in is unpredictable.

“Although I’m very comfortable with the likely outcome, it’s still very unpredictable, and we don’t know, could very well be one of the final statements I make,” Bartlett said good-naturedly.

He was addressing 300 attendees at the 4th annual American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Showcase hosted at the Sandals South Coast in Westmoreland, which kicked off Saturday and ends on Tuesday.

Bartlett, serving as tourism minister in the Andrew Holness-led Administration since 2016, paused his election campaign for the St James East Central constituency, to be at the showcase which brings together key partners with the largely American travel advisors, in one of the top calendar events of the year.

He emphasised the outsized importance of the work they did to grow tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean, a heavily tourism-reliant region, thanking them on behalf of a grateful people.

“Your expertise, passion and commitment to delivering authentic experiences have positioned the Caribbean as a leading global destination in a time when information is abundant but trust is scarce. Travellers rely on you for guidance and inspiration.

“While the Caribbean’s beautiful landscapes, welcoming people, delicious cuisine and unforgettable attractions make it an appealing destination, it is your hard work and your commitment that have helped sustain the region’s industry, and for that, we are deeply grateful,” said Bartlett.

The Jamaican minister was one of five tourism ministers from the Caribbean at the ASTA Showcase. The others were: G P Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados; Carlos James, St Vincent and the Grenadines; Adrian Thomas, Grenada; and Ernest Hilaire, who is also deputy prime minister of St Lucia.

Bartlett was introduced by Miami-based Jamaican Gary Sadler, executive vice-president of sales and industry relations at Unique Vacations, an affiliate of the worldwide representatives of Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

Secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Dona Regis-Prosper and Andy Blanco, chief operating officer of Unique Vacations, were also present.

Gary Sadler (right), Miami-based Jamaican executive vice-president of sales and industry relations at Unique Vacations bumps fists with Zane Kerby, head of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) at their Caribbean Showcase 2025. Kerby was honoured by Sandals, supported by Caribbean tourism ministers, for Excellence in Developing Caribbean Tourism at the event hosted at the Sandals Southcoast resort.

A section of the 300 travel advisors in attendance at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Caribbean Showcase 2025 at Sandals Southcoast.