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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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"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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Minister Bartlett Named Among Global Icons of Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 13, 2022: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been recognized among 50 global icons of travel and tourism “who have innovated and created new benchmarks in the travel, aviation, tourism, hospitality and allied sectors.”

Rocky Point Beach to Kick-Start St. Thomas Tourism Transformation

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 11, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday (April 10) met with key officials to advance discussions on the much-anticipated development of St. Thomas as the next tourism frontier. The move is in keeping with Government’s commitment to transforming the eastern parish into one of the premier sustainable destinations in the world.

JCTI BULLISH ON CERTIFICATION

Kingston, Jamaica; April 08, 2022: This year, the Jamaica Centre of Tourist Innovation is raising public awareness of its certification programmes, with a particular focus on the Hotel and Tourism Management Programme for high schools, in order to prepare the incoming workforce to better satisfy the emerging expectations of the tourism and hospitality industry.

TEF PAVES THE WAY TO RECOVERY WITH BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING AND TRAINING

Kingston, Jamaica: Friday April 08, 2022: A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) project is being developed by the Ministry of Tourism and its public body, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), to provide a systematic method for planning, executing, managing, and developing a business continuity management system in compliance with ISO 22301:2019, the Business Continuity Management System standard.

Post-COVID-19 Tourism Investment & Arrivals Boom

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 6, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has painted a picture of Jamaica’s tourism industry as a sector booming with investment and arrivals as it emerges stronger and more resilient from the fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Airlines to Introduce Flights to Ian Fleming International Airport

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 31, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed a major decision by American Airlines to introduce twice weekly non-stop flights out of USA Miami gateways to the Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, commencing November this year.

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