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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Bartlett hails $20B Housing Project for hotel workers

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, Monday, February 24, 2020: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has hailed the partnership with his Ministry and the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) which is set to yield a $20 billion housing project for tourism workers in St James.

Bartlett Offers Condolences to Family of Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston Hopkins

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 24, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep regret at the passing of prominent Grenadian and Caribbean hotelier, Sir Royston Hopkin, KCMG.

UNWTO Secretary General to Headline May Global Summit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 20, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili will be the key speaker at the first ever UNWTO Global Summit on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Resilience Management, which is being hosted in Montego Bay in May.

Bartlett to Visit TD Jakes Ministry in Texas

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 12, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett will visit Texas on Thursday, to meet with Bishop TD Jakes at his church, the Potters House, to further explore building out Jamaica’s faith-based product.

Bartlett Upbeat about Full Registration for Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme in March

Montego Bay, St. James; February 7, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett is upbeat that workers in the sector will be able to fully register for the pension scheme starting in March 2020.

Jamaica’s First Artisan Village takes Shape… Next Steps, Theming, says Bartlett

FALMOUTH, Trelawny; February 6, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica’s first Artisan Village is taking shape and the next phase will be its theming. The project is being constructed at the Hampden Wharf in Falmouth.

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