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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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Minister Bartlett Convenes Urgent Meetings to Prepare for Hurricane Beryl

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, July 2, 2024: As Jamaica braces for the potential impact of Hurricane Beryl, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has convened several urgent strategy meetings since Sunday, June 30, 2024, with the Policy and Planning Group and other key members of the Ministry’s Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC). The meetings, which included Ministry of Tourism officials, Chairmen and Executive Directors of public bodies of the Ministry, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), and other leading private sector tourism stakeholders, were aimed at ensuring the tourism sector is fully prepared to face the possible challenges posed by the hurricane.

Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) Activated as Hurricane Beryl Nears

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, July 2, 2024: The Ministry of Tourism has activated the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) in preparation for the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The TEOC serves as the central hub for coordinating emergency response and recovery efforts within the tourism sector. The TEOC is located at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and was officially activated at midday today (July 2).

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) pauses for a photo with Mike LaGrand: Director, Latin & Pacific Network Planning (L) and Tom Kozlowski: Senior Manager, Latin Network Planning (R), United Airlines, following a productive meeting at the Airlines’ office in Chicago June 20.

United Airlines Increases Service to Jamaica by Over 50% Since 2019

CHICAGO; Illinois; Wednesday, June 26, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed news that United Airlines increased its total flights to Jamaica by over 50% since 2019. The disclosure was made during a meeting with the Airline’s top brass and the Minister and his Senior Executives at United’s World Headquarters last week. United Airlines is a major American airline headquartered at the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. It operates an extensive domestic and international route network across the United States, connecting six continents from its seven US mainland hubs.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett making his presentation during a Ministerial Panel at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York on Tuesday June 18, 2024.

Reimagining of Caribbean Tourism key to Resilience of the Industry, says Minister Bartlett

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Monday, June 24, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett believes the push to reimagine Caribbean Tourism is key to ensuring the resilience of the industry. Speaking at the Council of Ministers during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York on Tuesday June 18, Minister Bartlett expressed his support for implementing changes that will benefit the region.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (2nd R) pauses for a photo opportunity with fellow panellists for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) ‘Leveraging AI’ discussion, Hon Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation for the Bahamas (2nd L), Hon Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands (R) and Lee Hall, Founder of Clarity Media (L).

Human Capital Development Critical to Prepare Tourism Workers for New Age in Tourism with AI, says Bartlett

NEW YORK; New York; Thursday June 20, 2024: Artificial Intelligence (AI), the latest global phenomenon, was a major focus at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York, where a Ministerial forum looked at leveraging AI for tourism development. During the discussions, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett highlighted that this technology will be the new frontier for Caribbean tourism and must be harnessed properly to enable more seamlessness within the industry.

Bartlett Saddened by Passing of Jamaican Trailblazer Kingsley Cooper

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, June 19, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Kingsley Cooper, a visionary pioneer in the fashion, entertainment and lifestyle industries, who passed away yesterday. Cooper was renowned for his ground-breaking contribution to the fashion industry locally, regionally and internationally. Along with fellow attorney Hilary Phillips, he founded Pulse Investments Ltd., and the acclaimed Pulse Model Agency, a trailblazer for Jamaica’s prominence in the international fashion and lifestyle arena.

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