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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J$250 Million to start Tourism Workers’ Pension Fund in January, says Bartlett

NEGRIL, Westmoreland; Wednesday December 18, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says J$250 Million will be used to ensure the start of the highly anticipated Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme next month. This forms part of the government’s effort to seed the fund to meet the deadline of a January 2020 start date for the pension scheme.

Bartlett to Invite Miss World Finalists to Visit Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; December 16, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that Jamaica will be extending invitations to Miss World finalists Miss Nigeria, Nyekachi Douglas and Miss India, Suman Rao, following Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh’s historic win on Saturday.

Bartlett to Conclude Discussions for the Establishment of the First Satellite Centre in Kenya

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 09, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett is currently in Kenya to conclude discussions for the establishment of the first Satellite Centre for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), at the Kenyatta University.

MSC Meraviglia to Bring 50,000 Cruise Passengers to Ocho Rios

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann; December 3, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says Ocho Rios is gearing up to welcome 50,000 cruise ship passengers courtesy of the cruise line MSC Meraviglia.

Jamaica and Peru Discuss Ways to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 2, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is in discussions with the Government of Peru to collaborate in areas such as destination marketing, gastronomy, sport and tourism resilience. This is being done to further strengthen bilateral relations between Jamaica and Peru.

Tourism Working Group Report to Help Shape New Architecture for Subsectors

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 28, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that findings from the just concluded Tourism Working Group (TWG) report are ready and will be used to help shape a new architecture for the tourism subsectors.

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