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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Jamaica Wins Big at World Travel Awards’ Caribbean Gala

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 22, 2020: Jamaica has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Award’s Caribbean Gala ceremony, for the fifteenth consecutive season.

GTRCMC Donates US$100,000 to Bahamas for Hurricane Relief

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 22, 2020: The Jamaican-based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) on Tuesday donated US$100,000 to the Bahamas. The funds will assist with hurricane relief following the passage of Hurricane Dorian last year, as well as for the development of the Disaster Risk, Resilience & Readiness Assessment in the Caribbean Tourism Sector Study.

Bartlett to attend Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Bahamas

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 21, 2020: Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday to attend the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Baha Mar, Bahamas. While there, he will participate in several business meetings and will form a part of a panel on a forum entitled “Caribbean Tourism Pulse: 2020 and Beyond”.

Tourism Ministry to Spend More on Marketing Carnival in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 17, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that his Ministry will be increasing investment in developing Carnival in Jamaica as a tourism product, which will be marketed to destinations across the globe.

Tourism Demand Study shows need for J$391.6 Billion in Agricultural and Manufacturing Goods, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 17, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says data from a recent demand study shows the need for J$391.6 Billion in goods from the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The break out shows a demand for goods of J$352 Billion for manufacturing and J$39.6 Billion for agriculture.

Jamaica Rum Festival to be Marketed as a Tourism Product

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 16, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that the Jamaica Rum Festival (JRF) will be packaged and marketed as a tourism product and sold to potential visitors to the island.

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