Government of Jamaica

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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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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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A significant step for Jamaica’s tourism sector: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd left) joins LCH Developments CEO, Yangsen Li (left) and COO, Tanya Golaub (2nd right) alongside Ennismore's EVP – Americas, Jason Hsiang (right) at the signing ceremony announcing The Pinnacle's collaboration with Ennismore and Accor to introduce their prestigious luxury lifestyle brands to the island.

Bartlett Signals New Wave of Luxury Tourism Development for Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Tuesday, April 15, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, recently announced that a new era of luxury tourism is on the horizon for Jamaica during a contract signing press conference hosted by LCH Developments, the developers of The Pinnacle. This event took place last Thursday, April 10, at the Pinnacle headquarters in Montego Bay and marks a significant partnership with Ennismore and Accor. This collaboration promises to elevate the island’s tourism offerings with the introduction of two prestigious luxury brands, setting a high benchmark for hospitality in the region.

Bartlett Spearheads Three-Day JTB Marketing Blitz in New York City

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, April 7, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, along with Director of Tourism, Donovan White and other representatives from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), departed the island yesterday (April 6) to execute a strategic three-day marketing blitz in New York City, aimed at bolstering Jamaica’s tourism presence in the United States. The marketing mission, which kicks off today, April 7, is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with industry partners and bolster forward bookings for the upcoming summer season. This blitz also comes as the Jamaica Tourist Board celebrates its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades of promoting Jamaica as a premier global destination.

Embrace AI as a Catalyst for Innovation and Resilience - Bartlett

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America; Thursday, April 3, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has again emphasised the importance of harnessing emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to drive innovation and resilience within the tourism sector. Speaking yesterday (April 2) at the George Washington University School of Business on the theme: Tourism Unleashed: AI, People, and the Future of Global Resilience, the tourism minister highlighted Jamaica’s strides in tourism innovation and the critical role of AI in shaping the sector’s future.

Bartlett to Participate in 26th OAS Inter-American Congress of Tourism Ministers

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island today for Washington D.C., where he will participate in the 26th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism, hosted by the Organization of American States (OAS). Hosted under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Heritage Tourism for Development in the Americas,” the high-level meeting will run from April 3-4, 2025. Minister Bartlett is slated to address the Inaugural Session on Thursday, April 3 alongside the Chair of the Inter-American Council on Integral Development (CIDI), Ambassador Lou-Anne Gilchrist and the OAS Secretary-General, H.E. Luis Almagro.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (3rd L) pauses for a photo following discussions with Senior Executives of Emirates Airline, Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer (3rd R); Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President, International Affairs (2nd R) and Kahlid Bel Jaflah (R), Divisional Vice President Commercial Operations United Arab Emirates and Oman. Also pictured are Senator the Hon. Delano Seiveright, Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism (L) and Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

New Emirates Flights from Dubai to Jamaica Will Boost Linkages - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, March 27, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, today welcomed the announcement of Emirates Airline’s new weekly scheduled flights between Dubai and Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting on April 10, 2025. The flights, which will operate via Frankfurt, Germany, are a major achievement for Jamaica’s tourism sector and the result of years of advocacy and strategic discussions led by Minister Bartlett and his team, including Minister of State, Sen. the Hon. Delano Seiveright; Director of Tourism, Donavan White, and Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Chairman, John Lynch, supported by key tourism partners.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (R) greets staff at the Norman Manley International Airport for the annual staff breakfast appreciation.

Tourism Minister Celebrates Women’s Contributions on IWD

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Saturday March 8, 2025: Today, on International Women's Day, Minister of Tourism, the Hon Edmund Bartlett is saluting the contributions of women in the tourism industry.