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.

Featured News Releases

"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."

All News Releases

Jason Henzell (left), chairman of Jakes Hotel, Villas & Spa, the premier resort establishment in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth receives a Global Tourism Resilience award from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith during a special awards ceremony at the Princess Grand Jamaica resort on February 18, 2025. The award was presented at a gala dinner, climaxing the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo with delegates coming from as far as Africa.

Five Outstanding Individuals & Entities Win Tourism Resilience Awards

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, February 20, 2025: Five Jamaican and three Canadian individuals and organizations have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to boosting tourism resilience. The Jamaican winners received their awards from the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), while the Canadian victors earned their accolades from ECO Canada.

Embrace Digital Technologies to Boost Tourism Resilience - Bartlett

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 18, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is urging global tourism stakeholders, including businesses and entrepreneurs, to embrace digital technologies to boost resilience in the tourism industry.

Avelo Airlines Adds Montego Bay Route as Jamaica Boosts Airlift Support

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, February 13, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett remains upbeat that the current winter tourist season will be the best ever amid a continued boost in airlift support. He gave an optimistic outlook yesterday (February 12) in welcoming the inaugural flight of Avelo Airlines out of Raleigh, North Carolina, to Montego Bay. The twice weekly flight expands Avelo’s operation in Jamaica, complementing its other twice weekly flights out of Hartford, Connecticut since November 16, 2024.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and members of his senior tourism team in discussion on labour market arrangements with key representatives of the Inverotel Group in the margins of FITUR in Madrid Spain yesterday (January 22).

Jamaica and Inverotel Partner to Enhance Tourism Worker Conditions

MADRID; Spain; Thursday, January 23, 2025: Following the annual strategic meeting with Inverotel, one of the largest Spanish hotel investment groups, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has negotiated better labour market arrangements for the backbone of Jamaica's tourism sector - its dedicated workforce. The meeting included key representatives from Inverotel and senior tourism officials in the margins of FITUR, the leading tourism trade fair held in Spain.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (R)with Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain, Mrs. Rosario Sánchez Grau ahead of the high-level discussion on a Memorandum of Understanding between Jamaica and Spain at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Madrid yesterday (January 21, 2025).

Jamaica and Spain to Sign Strategic Tourism Partnership MOU

MADRID; Spain; Wednesday January 22, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has indicated that a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Spain's Ministry of Tourism is in the works. This MOU would mark a significant step forward in international tourism cooperation between the two nations.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (centre) cuts a red ribbon signalling the grand opening of the Red Stripe Experience at Rick’s Café in Negril, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. He is flanked by (from left) Head of Commerce, Red Stripe, Sean Wallace; Managing Director of Red Stripe, Daaf van Tilburg; CEO of Rick’s Cafe, Steve Ellman and Member of Parliament, Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson.

Bartlett Signals Ease to Negril Water Woes with US$221 Million Investment

NEGRIL, Westmoreland, Jamaica; Tuesday, January 21, 2025: The long-standing problem of water shortage that has plagued the Negril tourist resort and surrounding areas is to be addressed with a US$221 million government investment in creating a water supply system for the area.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm