Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has praised the newly opened Artisan District at Sangster International Airport as a major boost for local creatives and entrepreneurs. The innovative retail space showcases authentic Jamaican art, craft, wellness, and lifestyle products while strengthening the connection between tourism and Jamaica’s creative economy.
Montego Bay, Jamaica — Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has hailed the newly opened Artisan District at Sangster International Airport as a transformative initiative that will strengthen the link between tourism and Jamaica’s creative industries while expanding economic opportunities for local artisans and entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony for the unique cultural and retail space at Jamaica’s premier tourism gateway, Minister Bartlett described the development as a bold and strategic step in enhancing the country’s tourism product through authentic Jamaican experiences.
The Artisan District was founded by entrepreneur Lindsay Templer, owner of Jamaica Aromatics, whose innovative approach was praised by the Tourism Minister as an example of how creativity can be transformed into meaningful economic value.
“Looking around you at the things that are there and adding value is what makes the artisan industry such a powerful one,” Bartlett said. “The creativity of our people is not extending only to inventions — because we get so caught up with that — but you can add value.”
Visit Jamaica | The best music, food, vistas and vibes for your perfect vacation
Discover the beauty of Jamaica with its fascinating culture, stunning beaches and lush landscapes. Experience our warm Jamaican hospitality, vibrant reggae music, sumptuous cuisine, thrilling adventures and good vibes all around. Plan your perfect Jamaican vacation now and come back to your best self in Jamaica.
He noted that the opening of the Artisan District marks an important milestone for Jamaica’s creative sector and highlights the growing role of local creatives in the tourism industry.
“What we see here today is the fulfillment of the creative productivity of our Jamaican artists,” he added.
Minister Bartlett emphasizes that tourism is fundamentally about building connections and converting those connections into tangible economic outcomes.
“We convert those connections into meaningful material outcomes with the value and the price and thereby create an economy,” he said.
The Artisan District features specially curated Jamaican-made art and craft pieces that are positioned as far more than traditional souvenirs.
“These are unique pieces, conversation pieces, not souvenirs; souvenir is commercial, you can buy anywhere,” Bartlett explained. “What you are getting here is a conversation piece.”
The Minister also linked the initiative to the Ministry of Tourism’s “Local First” policy, which seeks to ensure that tourism growth directly benefits Jamaican producers and suppliers.
“This is the essence of what Local First is all about,” he stated. “It means that when you come to Jamaica, you must enjoy the supplies that are provided by Jamaicans.”
Bartlett stressed the need to build production capacity among local artisans so they can fully capitalize on the growing demands of the tourism sector.
“This airport in short order is going to have six million visitors coming through here. Think about the demand that that presents,” he said. “If we are a shop of samples, they will say, what a wonderful thing, but they will be taking back money with them. The idea is that they must not take back a dollar in their purse.”
He thanked founder Lindsay Templer for creating what he described as a vital marketing platform for Jamaican artisans and a concept aligned with the Ministry’s vision for artisan villages across the island.
“To make authentic Jamaican products become the basis of the recall of the authenticity of the visit that people make to Jamaica,” he said.
The Artisan District offers departing travelers a distinctive opportunity to purchase authentic Jamaican craftsmanship across a range of categories including art, jewelry, ceramics, wellness products, and lifestyle goods.
Templer confirmed that every item featured in the store is created by local artisans, with a strong emphasis on quality, storytelling, and cultural authenticity.
“For many local artisans, opportunities like this can be transformational,” said featured artisan Kacion Collins of Absolutely Knot. “To have our work showcased in an international airport alongside so many talented Jamaican makers is both exciting and deeply meaningful.”
The opening of the Artisan District marks another step in Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to deepen the integration of culture, creativity, and tourism while ensuring that more Jamaicans directly benefit from the industry’s continued growth.