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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Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to Establish Five Satellite Centres in Africa

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 12, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM) will be establishing satellite centres in Kenya, Seychelles, South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco to expand their reach within the continent.

Tourism Linkages Network to Develop a ‘National Herbaceutical Research Project’

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 11, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the development of the herbaceuticals sector is also a priority activity within the Tourism Linkages Network of the Ministry Of Tourism, with a national research project currently underway.

Bartlett upbeat about Jamaica’s Country Brand Ranking in Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 07, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says he is heartened by results of a new study by the Bloom Consulting, which shows Jamaica entering the top-ten tourism country brands in the Americas for 2019-2020, moving up five places since the last assessment.

Bartlett to Attend UNWTO General Assembly in Russia

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 06, 2019: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett departs the island tomorrow to participate in the 23rd Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) General Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Potential Global Economic Downturn and Sargassum real threats to Tourism, says Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, St. James; August 15, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has indicated that Jamaica is taking note that the potential global economic downturn and sargassum phenomena are real threats to the tourism industry.

3900 Youth Empowered by TEF Summer Internship Programme in 6 Years

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 14, 2019: In the past six years, some 3900 youth have benefitted from the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) Summer Internship Programme (SIP), which introduces participants (between 16-25 years) to the world of work and assists them with gaining professional experience.

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