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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Tourism Sector sets Post-COVID-19 Record With 27,000 Weekend Visitor Arrivals

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 8, 2022: As the tourism sector continues to rebound, Jamaica is again breaking visitor arrival records, with some 27,000 tourists arriving on the island last weekend, March 3 to 6.

Recovery of Tourism Sector Still on Track Despite Crisis in Europe – Minister Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 28, 2022: While keeping a close eye on the global instability created by the war in Ukraine, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is sounding a positive note for continued buoyancy in Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett Laments the Passing of Tourism Stalwart ‘Pino’ Maffessanti

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 26, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has paid tribute to the late Hon Guiseppe “Pino” Maffessanti, noting the outstanding role he has played in the physical development of Jamaica’s tourism product.

Collective Approach Needed To Overcome COVID-19 – Minister Bartlett

Dubai, UAE; February 18, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is calling for a more collective and inclusive approach among countries globally to overcome the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in relation to vaccine access.

Jamaica Launches Global Tourism Resilience Day At EXPO2020 Dubai

Dubai, UAE; February 17, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Thursday (February 17) launched Global Tourism Resilience Day during EXPO2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

GTRCMC Opens Taleb Rifai Centre in Jordan Driving Regional Recovery

AMMAN, February 20, 2022 Ministers of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and Hon Najib Balala arrived in Amman to meet with Minister Al Fayez of Jordan to inaugurate the Global Tourism Resilience and Disaster Management Centre -MENA at Middle East University to be referred to as the Taleb Rifai Centre under the leadership of Professor Salam Almahadin, President of the University. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held on the University’s campus with all Ministers present and a large contingent of travel sector leaders. This is the sixth such satellite Centre to open, an initiative of its Co-Chairs, Edmund Bartlett and Dr. Rifai.

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