Senator Janice Allen, Shadow Minister of Tourism, has accused the Tourism Ministry of misusing public funds to celebrate Minister Edmund Bartlett, who recently received the Order of Jamaica.

In a statement, Allen revealed that the ministry spent a significant amount on a 24-page newspaper supplement largely dedicated to congratulating Bartlett.

“This supplement contains three and a half pages of government advertisements, several pages of constituency articles—including a centre spread focused on constituency education scholarships—and six pages of advertisements from hotels, cruise lines, the airport management company, and other tourism suppliers. These advertisers could stand to benefit directly from ministerial decisions, raising serious concerns about the integrity and transparency behind such a decision,” the Shadow Minister said.

Allen expressed alarm over this expenditure, describing it as troubling and distasteful, especially when taxpayer funds should be directed toward enhancing the tourism sector and supporting citizens.

“At a time when resources are desperately needed for essential initiatives, this spending on self-congratulation feels excessive and misaligned with the community’s needs,” she said.

She criticised the trend of self-promotion at public expense, calling this instance both unnecessary and “vulgar”.

“This pattern of self-promotion at public expense has been observed repeatedly, yet the scale and extravagance of this display are both unnecessary and, frankly, vulgar. I am compelled to call out this blatant misuse of public resources and to hold the minister accountable for choices that favour personal accolades over the needs of Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders and its citizens.”

Allen urged the ministry to cease such expenditures and focus on investments that truly benefit Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders and citizens.