Government Launches “Local First” Policy to Put Jamaicans at the Heart of Tourism Growth
The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Tourism, has announced the Local First policy, which is an impactful and transformative initiative designed to ensure that Jamaicans are the primary beneficiaries of the country’s booming tourism sector.
Minister of Tourism, Honourable Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement on Tuesday (October 14) during his address to Parliament, describing Local First as a home-grown framework rooted in the extraordinary success of the Tourism Linkages Network (TLN), a model that has already created tangible economic opportunities for thousands of Jamaicans.
“Tourism has once again proven to be the engine driving Jamaica’s economic momentum by generating jobs, attracting investment, and transforming communities across the island. Yet as we expand our reach globally, our focus must remain firmly rooted at home. The growth of tourism must mean the growth of Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.
Under this new Local First Policy, the Government will prioritize Jamaican farmers, artisans, manufacturers, transport operators, entertainers, and micro-entrepreneurs as the first suppliers to hotels, attractions, and other tourism enterprises.
The initiative builds on the solid foundation of the TLN, which has driven measurable local development through programmes such as Christmas in July, which is generating over J$200 million in sales for Jamaican producers, and the Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX), which has facilitated over J$1 billion in trade between local farmers and the tourism sector by the end of 2024.
Complementary initiatives such as the Artisan Villages in Falmouth, gastronomy networks, and business expos have also demonstrated how tourism can multiply opportunities across the wider economy. The Local First policy now moves this successful model from individual programmes to a comprehensive national framework that will govern the future of tourism development.
“The truest measure of tourism success is not the number of arrivals; it is the number of lives improved,” the Minister emphasized. “Local First ensures that every new investment in tourism translates into jobs, contracts, and opportunities for Jamaicans.”
Minister Bartlett highlighted that the policy will also introduce local procurement targets for hotels and tourism entities, Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) in every resort area to guarantee local participation, and a Linkages Data Network, which will publicly track how much of the tourism dollar stays in Jamaica.
These measures align with the Government’s Vision 2030 National Development Plan, which emphasizes inclusive, sustainable growth and prosperity for all Jamaicans.
To oversee its implementation, the Ministry has established a High-Level Task Force on Local First, chaired by Honourable Tova Hamilton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism. The Task Force will coordinate the work of key tourism agencies in partnership with critical local institutions such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), and Municipal Corporations.
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness welcomes the Local First policy and reiterates that the Government is committed to building an inclusive tourism sector where Jamaicans are not just participants but leaders and owners in the nation’s tourism success story.