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.

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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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New regulation to boost resort shopping next year

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Friday, December 14, 2018: In an effort to induce more investment in shopping and get more tourism dollars from that attraction, a new regulation will be introduced by the Ministry of Tourism next year.

Local Farmers Earn over $39 Million from Tourism Agri-Linkages Exchange Pilot Project

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 14, 2018: The Tourism Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) pilot project has assisted 400 local farmers with the marketing of approximately 360,000 kg of agricultural produce valued at over $39 million.

Minister Bartlett Commits $100 Million to Alpha Redevelopment Plan

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 12, 2018: Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett today (December 12) committed $100 million to the redevelopment of the 40-acre Alpha Campus. The allocation will come from the Ministry’s Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) in tranches of $20 million over five years.

Minister Bartlett Mourns the Death of Senator Frank Pringle

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 11, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the family of former Minister of Tourism, Senator Donald Frank McKenzie Pringle, who died yesterday, at the age of 88.

Jamaica will not be a Casino Destination

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Sunday, December 9, 2018: Jamaica’s first regulated casino should be up and running by the start of 2020 but Jamaica will not be a casino destination.

Former Colombian President to Be Keynote Speaker for Upcoming International Tourism Conference

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 5, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that Álvaro Uribe, former President of Colombia, is the keynote speaker for the ‘Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth – Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTE)’, scheduled to take place next January.

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