Discussions are now underway to leverage this October’s staging of the Miss Grand International 2026 pageant in India to promote Jamaica to one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing tourism markets.

To this extent, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, recently hosted a courtesy call with Simone Gardner and Matea Smith, the incoming and outgoing Miss Grand Jamaica crown, respectively.

During the courtesy call, the ladies highlighted the significant potential of India with its population of over one billion and strong diaspora networks to expand Jamaica’s visibility, noting that the pageant’s extensive global media reach across Asia and Latin America presents a powerful platform to showcase Jamaican culture, cuisine and lifestyle.

Minister Bartlett welcomed the initiative, underscoring the natural cultural linkages between Jamaica and India, particularly in cuisine, heritage and shared history, while emphasising the importance of strategic promotion to deepen engagement with emerging markets.

The meeting also touched on preparations for the upcoming Miss Grand Jamaica crown handover ceremony, where Matea will officially pass the title to Simone in early June. 

The event is expected to serve as a key promotional moment, offering added visibility and an opportunity to further engage stakeholders within the tourism sector.