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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Carnival Commits to at Least 110 Calls to Jamaica up to April 2022

Miami, Florida, USA; September 29, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise line, has committed to sending 110 or more cruises, by its various brands, to the island between October 2021 and April 2022. The agreement is contingent on Jamaican authorities and Carnival continuing to work closely on logistics and public health issues.

Up To 17 Flights A Day into Jamaica as American Airlines Sees Higher Demand

Dallas, Texas, USA; September 24, 2021: Executives of the world’s largest airline - American Airlines - told Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and other senior Jamaican tourism officials in a meeting Thursday at their global headquarters in Dallas, Texas that the island nation will by December see as much as 17 nonstop flights per day, as demand for the destination rises.

Tourism Awareness Week to Focus on ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2021: The Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and tourism partners, including the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), will be highlighting the important role tourism plays in fostering inclusion and economic growth as they observe Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2021.

Southwest Airlines Says Jamaica’s Flight Operations Nearing Pre-Pandemic Levels

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2021: Southwest Airlines executives on Wednesday (September 22) at their Dallas, Texas headquarters, informed Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett that their flight operations into Montego Bay in coming weeks and months are very close to 2019 pre-pandemic record levels, signalling increased demand for destination Jamaica by US travellers.

Bartlett to Meet With Travel Partners in Canada and the United States

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 22, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, along with other senior tourism officials, will be participating in a series of meetings in the island’s two largest source markets, the United States and Canada, beginning tomorrow, in an effort to increase arrivals to the destination as well as foster further investment in the tourism sector.

Bartlett Lauds Jakes Hotel on Accomplishing 100% Staff Vaccination

TREASURE BEACH, St Elizabeth; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is lauding the South Coast’s renowned resort complex, Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat on achieving 100 percent staff take up of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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