Government of Jamaica

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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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Jamaica’s Tourism Boom Set to Continue

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, April 19, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed optimism in the growth prospects for the sector stressing that “this is the biggest and best winter season Jamaica has ever had in the history of tourism” adding that the tourism industry was set on a path to continue the boom now being experienced.
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Bartlett Calls on IFIs to Drive Tourism Recovery and Growth

WASHINGON DC, Friday, April 14, 2023: In a critical analysis of tourism and its importance to global economies, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has made a universal call on international financial institutions (IFIs) to invest in ideas to build industry capacity for full recovery and inclusive growth.
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Minister Bartlett In Washington DC for High-Level Meetings

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday, April 11, 2023: Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett is currently in Washington D.C. for a series of high-level meetings, over the next four days, with international organizations and tourism partners.
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Jamaica and South Africa to Collaborate on Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and his South African counterpart, Hon. Patricia de Lille, met yesterday (April 3) to discuss building a cooperation framework to make tourism for both countries a key driver of economic development.
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Bartlett Eyes Stronger Jamaica-Africa Relations

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reiterated his commitment to strengthening relations between the Caribbean and Africa. “The Caribbean has a golden opportunity to work together in this new mode of ‘co-petion’ that is driving the way forward for tourism collaboration. And the opportunity to become the bridgehead for Africa to the markets of the Americas looms greatly,” the tourism minister stated.
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Bartlett to Participate in African Tourism Investment Summit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, April 3, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will today (April 3) join government ministers, finance executives and administrators from South Africa, Botswana, Spain and Sierra Leone on a Ministerial Roundtable titled: “Developing a Sustainable Tourism Industry in Africa by Integrating Cultural, Environment, Good Governance and Social Concerns”. The roundtable is one of the highlights of the African Tourism Investment Summit being held from April 3-5, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa, under the theme: “Revitalizing Investment in Sustainable Tourism on the African Continent”.
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