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 Minister calls for the Establishment of a Regional Tourism Resilience Fund

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 07, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has called for the establishment of a Tourism Resilience Fund, which will be the region’s first funding facility specifically designed to assist highly-susceptible tourist destinations in the region.

Bartlett Congratulates S Hotel and Kanopi House on New Condé Nast Traveler Best Hotels Rankings

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 7, 2019: Luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, has ranked S Hotel in Montego Bay and the Kanopi House in Portland as #1 and #6 best hotels in the Caribbean and Central America, respectively, in its 32nd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

Tourism Ministry to Host 2nd Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 04, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that his Ministry will be hosting the Second Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas, under the theme “Building Tourism Resilience for Sustainable Development’. The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled to take place on October 9 and 10, at The University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters.

Bartlett announces Luxury Planet Hotel for Jamaica

TORONTO, Canada; October 2, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett today announced that a Sunwing Travel Group led luxury Planet Hollywood Hotel & Resort will break ground in Trelawny next year.

Tourism Minister Moves to Recover Japan Market

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 1, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry will be placing special focus on increasing arrivals from Japan by implementing new marketing arrangements.

Bartlett applauds Winners of Jamaica Tourist Board’s Annual Awards at Jamaica Travel Market

LONDON, United Kingdom; September 27, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has applauded the eight tour operators who won big at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual awards at the Jamaica Travel Market gala dinner yesterday.

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