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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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Speaking at an exclusive media event held at the Jamaica stand at World Travel Market (WTM) yesterday in London, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett noted that Jamaica is targeting 250,000 visitors out of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland by 2025. WTM London is one of the world’s largest tourism trade shows and has attracted some 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants.

Jamaica Targets 250,000 UK & Ireland Visitors by 2025

LONDON, United Kingdom; Tuesday, November 7, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has set a new target to welcome 250,000 visitors out of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland by 2025. This follows on the heels of Jamaica being the number one Caribbean destination among UK visitors last year.

Minister Bartlett to Attend 2023 World Travel Market London

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, November 3, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to depart the island on Saturday, November 4, 2023, for London, England, to participate in World Travel Market (WTM) London. The leading global travel tradeshow will take place at the ExCel London from November 6 to 8, 2023.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) gesticulates as he leads high-level internal discussions with senior representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies during the Ministry's annual Strategic Planning Retreat held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, from October 25-26, 2023. Looking on are (L-R) the Ministry's Senior Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Project Management, Mr. Astley Henry and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Ms. Jennifer Griffith.

ALEX Sales and EXIM Bank Disbursements Surpass Billion-dollar Mark

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, October 27, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced that transactions on the Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform have generated $1 billion in sales by small farmers. This as he also outlined that tourism loan disbursements through the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank have also surpassed $1 billion for 2023. Commending the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) on the strides being made, the tourism minister underscored the increased impact of the tourism value chain on Jamaican small businesses as a significant outcome.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett passionately delivers the keynote address on behalf of Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness at the second annual Government of Jamaica Service Excellence Awards hosted by the Office of the Cabinet, yesterday (October 25) at the Spanish Court Hotel.

High-touch Service Critical to Government’s Prosperity Agenda

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, October 26, 2023: The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has underscored its commitment to service excellence as a fundamental pillar of its prosperity agenda. The emphasis on high-touch service and unwavering dedication to quality service delivery was at the forefront as Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett delivered the keynote address at yesterday’s (October 25) staging of the second annual GoJ Service Excellence Awards at the Spanish Court Hotel.

Jamaica Elected Second Vice Chair of UNWTO Executive Council

Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Monday, October 20, 2023: Jamaica’s position as a leader in the global tourism industry has been further bolstered after the Caribbean nation secured the post of second vice chair of the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Executive Council. This significant achievement follows a recent vote held on the margins of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. After an impressive lobbying effort by the Jamaican delegation, Jamaica received a resounding 20 votes, while Lithuania garnered 14.

Minister Bartlett to Participate in UNWTO General Assembly

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, October 13, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will depart the island tomorrow (October 14) to attend the highly anticipated twenty-fifth session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16-20, 2023.

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