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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Small Enterprises Gross $700M From Tourism Linkages’ Speed Networking Event

MONTEGO BAY, St James; Friday April 1, 2022: Since 2016, the Ministry of Tourism’s Speed Networking Event, organized by the Tourism Linkages Network (TLN), has generated over $700 million in business between local small and medium enterprises.

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.

Minister Bartlett Visits Canada for Major ‘Jamaica 60’ and GTRCMC Activities

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 24, 2022: Expanding the reach of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and involving the Diaspora in celebrations marking the 60 th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence are high on the agenda as Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett travels to Canada for four days of official engagements along with his colleague Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon Olivia “Babsy” Grange.

Ground Broken for Upgrades to the Courtyard at Devon House

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 17, 2022: Ground was broken earlier today (March 17) for the renovation of the courtyard at Devon House, to make it more attractive and safer for locals and visitors alike. The project, which is valued at approximately $70 million, is being implemented by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, in keeping with its mandate of promoting growth and development in the tourism sector.

JCTI Graduates to Transform Tourism’s Labour Market Arrangements

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 15, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the initiatives of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) are poised to transform the labour market arrangements within the tourism sector, by producing a highly skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of the industry.

‘Jamaica’s Tourism Sector is Fully Back on Track’ - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 14, 2022: Just days after Jamaica marked the second anniversary of the confirmation of its first case of the COVID-19 virus, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the island’s tourist arrivals are returning to 2019 levels.

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