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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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Strong Air Connectivity Fuels Tourism Boom

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, May 3, 2024: Some 12 international and regional airlines, including carriers flying from over 200 gateways out of the US alone into Jamaica, have contributed to “impressive growth” in activities at the Sangster and Norman Manley International airports. Collectively they generated US$200.28 million or J$30 billion in revenue from a record-breaking 6.96 million passengers traversing them in 2023.

Investment in Tourism on the Rise

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, May 2, 2024: Investment in Jamaica’s tourism industry has soared to new heights with existing hotel companies expanding their stake while new investors are in line to build new properties.

Tourism Workers Pension Scheme Generates $1.6 Billion in Contributions in 2 Years

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, May 2, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced a significant milestone in the Ministry’s mission to “weave a safety net” for Jamaica’s invaluable tourism workers, as the ground-breaking Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), launched in January 2022, has surpassed 7,000 contributing members, recording $1.63 billion in contributions as of April 2024.

Minister Bartlett Reports Significant Growth in Tourism Arrivals & Earnings

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, May 1, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is reporting significant growth in the island’s tourism sector with preliminary gross earnings of US$4.38 billion, a 9.6% increase over fiscal year 2022/23 and “the largest revenue flow from tourism in the history of the tourism industry.”

Jamaica’s Cruise Tourism Set to Surge Despite Global Challenges

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, May 1, 2024: Despite the ongoing challenges facing the global cruise industry, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth in this important area, while noting that cruise shipping recorded 1.26 million arrivals in 2023, 48.3% above 2022 figures.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) greets students of Irwin High School in St James on his arrival at the Montego Bay Convention Centre recently to give the keynote address at the latest staging of the Jamaica Youth Tourism Summit, hosted by Tourism Management students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Western Jamaica Campus. The Irwin High students later delivered a medley of popular Jamaican cultural songs that was well received by the audience.

Minister Bartlett Challenges Youth to be Part of Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has urged young people “to become a part of the tourism machinery that is driving global development and economic growth.”

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