Ministries of Finance and Tourism to Take over Mobay Convention Centre

Cabinet has approved the transfer of ownership of the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, to the Ministries of Finance and the Public Service, and Tourism.

The management, operation and marketing of the facility will be handled by the Ministry of Tourism.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who made the disclosure at a recent JIS Think Tank, said the convention centre will be part of an integrated development programme for the area, which is intended to attract investments and propel further growth in the tourism sector.

“I am in negotiation with some investors for a convention hotel and, hopefully, a major shopping complex that will all be within that area … and will be able to attract the kind of mix that we need to give the centre the spur that it requires,” he informed.

Minister Bartlett said the facility can accommodate major meetings, short courses and various fora.

He pointed out that convention centres around the world normally do not make a profit, but they bring in large numbers of people for meetings, conferences, shows and displays, who stay in hotels.

“They go to the shops, they rent cars, they go to restaurants and they allow the dollar to permeate through the economy,” he said.

The Montego Bay Convention Centre opened its doors in 2011 as a venue for conventions, trade shows, banquets and theatre-style conferences. It was built as a response to the growing need for first-class meeting and convention facilities on the island.

The centre was constructed by the Government of Jamaica in conjunction with the Chinese Development Bank and was previously owned by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).

It has hosted several major events such as the Jamaica Investment Forum, Jamaica Bridal Expo, Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) and Jamaica Diaspora Conference.