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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SMTEs Urged to Provide Quality Products to Future-Proof the Tourism Sector

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 13, 2022: Operators of Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) that supply the tourism sector are being encouraged to provide high quality products to ensure the resilience of the industry and their continued viability in the market.

Tourism is one of Jamaica’s Investment Priorities

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 9, 2022: Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has listed tourism as one of Jamaica’s key investment priorities.

Collaboration Integral to Tourism Recovery in the Region

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 7, 2022: While calling for the implementation of a single use visa for visitors, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reiterated that partnership and the implementation of a multi-destination tourism framework, are necessary to boost the recovery of tourism in the Caribbean.

Montego Bay tops Summer Destination Cities

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 29, 2022: Jamaica’s second city has been ranked the top summer travel recovery city of 2022.

Bartlett Calls for COVID-19 Recovery Strategy for Commonwealth Countries

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 23, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has called for the development of a special growth strategy for Commonwealth countries to help them recover from the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Bartlett to Participate in Commonwealth Business Forum

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 20, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been invited to participate in a high-level panel discussion on ways to future-proof the international tourism industry to enable it to withstand global shocks, at the Commonwealth Business Forum 2022, being held in Kigali, Rwanda.

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