News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announces that a "Local First" policy is coming that will require investors to partner with communities. He was speaking on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at an event celebrating the completion of the first phase of Vista Montego Bay Resort and the groundbreaking for phase two. The $100 million luxury mixed resort-style residential development is situated on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

Featured News Releases

"Local First" Policy to Guide Jamaica's Tourism Investments – Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Thursday, August 14, 2025: As Jamaica’s pivot toward the luxury tourism market gains momentum, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is reinforcing his strong commitment to a policy that ensures local communities directly benefit from these new developments. He expressed delight that the government has been attracting premium investments, with groundbreaking ceremonies for over US$3.5 billion in tourism developments in the last three months alone. While not disclosing specifics, he mentioned he had just finalized discussions on two more "mega billion-dollar investments."

All News Releases

Tourism Must Tackle Inequalities Says Bartlett

Baku, Azerbaijan; June 18, 2019: Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that for tourism to be truly sustainable there must be greater equality among all stakeholders and a more equitable distribution of tourism earnings.

Minister Bartlett Meets With Top Tourism Resilience Partners in Azerbaijan

Baku, Azerbaijan; June 17, 2019: Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday (June 16) met with some of the leading partners in the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM) to discuss projects and deliverables the Centre will commence following the opening of its new physical facility on Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in October this year.

Bartlett welcomes New Blanche Blackwell Suite at Terra Nova

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 8, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the newly opened Blanche Blackwell suite at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, saying it will add to the ‘opinionated experience’ of guests.

PM: Public Sector Compliance and Efficiency Needed to Spur Growth

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 7, 2019: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness noted that while Jamaica’s record visitor arrivals and earnings indicated that Government policy is working and investors see Jamaica as a place to come and do business, bureaucracy is hindering the country’s growth and development.

Bartlett lauds Seaga as Icon, Champion of the people

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday, May 28, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has lauded the work of former Prime Minister, the Most Hon Edward Phillip George Seaga, who passed away today, on his 89 th birthday.

Bartlett to Participate in Inaugural Asian Resilience Summit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 28, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett is expected to participate in the first Asian Resilience Summit, being held in Kathmandu, Nepal on May 31, 2019.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm