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 to Partner with Diplomatic Community to Boost Gastronomy Tourism

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, December 23, 2022: Efforts to bolster the continued development of Devon House as Jamaica's first Gastronomy Centre have received a major boost with the launch of an innovative initiative that will leverage partnerships with members of the diplomatic community to enhance gastronomy tourism locally and increase visitor arrivals.

Burna Boy, Cardi B & Offset Boost Jamaica as #1 Location for Music Celebs

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, December 20, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded Nigerian International music star, Burna Boy for a stellar performance, which attracted thousands of locals and visitors to the island's capital, Kingston on December 18, 2022 and also welcomed the heightened exposure for Jamaica brought by American Music stars Cardi B and Offset who vacationed on the island recently.

Jamaica Welcomes Over 40,000 Visitors Since December 15

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, December 19, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the 2022/23 Winter Tourist Season is off to an amazing start as Jamaica has recorded over 40,000 visitors since the season kicked off on December 15, with over 11,000 stopover visitors flying into the tourism Mecca of Montego Bay on Saturday, December 17.

US$1.4 billion in Earnings Expected for 2022/23 Winter Tourist Season

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; December 16, 2022: Jamaica’s foreign exchange inflows remain on a growth trajectory for the first quarter of 2023 with an anticipated boost of US$1.4 billion from tourism earnings for the winter tourist season, which kicked off on December 15.

Jamaica Welcomes Inaugural Spirit Airlines Flight From Connecticut To Montego Bay

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, December 16, 2022 – Continuing to expand ease of access to the island for US travelers, Jamaica welcomed new air service from Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford to Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay yesterday morning by Spirit Airlines. This is the first ever nonstop flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, making the event truly a historic one.

Minister Bartlett Announces $100 Million Fund for Tourism Incubator Innovators

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, December 12, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that participants in the Tourism Innovation Incubator whose ideas are chosen for implementation, will have access to $100 million to transform those ideas into profitable projects.

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