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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Nonstop Russian Flight Service Begins

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Friday, October 26, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett officially welcomed PegasTouristik and Nordwind Airlines, new nonstop flight between Moscow, Russia and Montego Bay, Jamaica today. The flight, which carried two hundred and eighty three (283) passengers and seventeen (17) crew, landed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay at 8:13am.

Tourism Minister Calls for Greater Investment in Jamaica’s Carnival

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 23, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry is leading the charge in developing the Carnival in Jamaica initiative, to strengthen Jamaica’s competitiveness as an entertainment destination. He lauded the initiative for its economic value to the country as it generated record earnings in 2017, and called for greater investments to be made, to further develop the industry.

Bartlett Pushing for Tourism Innovation City

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; October 21, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has started plans to create a Tourism Innovation City in Montego Bay. The purpose of the city would be to develop areas of textile, manufacturing and farming among others, to boost the capacity to provide on the supply side of the tourism value chain.

Prime Minister Holness calls for more Investment in Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; October 19, 2018: Prime Minister, the Most Honourable, Andrew Holness has signalled that Jamaica’s Tourism is ripe for more investments given the consistent growth and development in the sector.

8000 Tourism Workers to be Trained in 5years

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; October 18, 2018: The Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), the training arm of the Ministry of Tourism, is on target to training 8000 tourism workers over the next five years.

Ground Broken on $26M Salem Beach Upgrades

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 17, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett joined other officials in St. Ann today, for a ground-breaking ceremony at Salem Beach. The beach is being upgraded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to the tune of $26 million, under their National Beach Development Programme.

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