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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.

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"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."

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JAMAICA VOTED ONE OF THE BEST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD BY TRIPADVISOR

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 27, 2019: Jamaica has been listed in the Top 25 Best Destinations in the World for 2019 on renowned travel website TripAdvisor. The island is the only country in the Caribbean to do so, and ranks among destinations such as London, Rome and Paris.

Bartlett Welcomes Tourism Graduate School for 2020

MONTEGO BAY, St. James; March 22, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed the establishment of a Graduate School of Tourism by 2020, which will be based at the University of the West Indies’ Western Campus.

Tourism Linkages Speed Networking Event Yields over $630 million in contracts for Local Entrepreneurs

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 21, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday revealed that his Ministry’s Tourism Linkages Speed Networking event has resulted in local Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) negotiating contracts valued at over $630 million, over the past three years.

Tourism Driving Economic Growth through Events and Experiential Activities

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 18, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica’s tourism industry has benefitted tremendously from the recent staging of mega culinary and entertainment festivals.

Bartlett Lauds Tourism Service Excellence Finalists

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday March 15, 2019… Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett has lauded the contribution of the finalists who will vie for the coveted award of national champions in the Tourism Service Excellence Awards (TSEA) on March 30.

1 Million Visitors and US$800M earned in 9 weeks

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Tuesday, March 12, 2019: With visitor arrivals for the first nine weeks of this year exceeding one million and Jamaica being the first Caribbean destination to achieve this result, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says the tourism industry has reached the peak of its growth. Earnings for the nine weeks have been put at US $800 Million.

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