Cabinet Gives Go-Ahead for Discussion on Construction of Harmony Cove

Cabinet has given the go-ahead for discussions to begin between the government and its British partner, Tavis Stock Group, for the construction of Harmony Cove, a proposed series of upscale villas and hotel rooms to be built on some 2,200 acres of land in Trelawny.
Information and Development Minister, Senator Colin Campbell, told journalists at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday (May 1), that Harmonisation Limited, the local company that owns the land, has been instructed to initiate discussions with the Tavis Stock Group, with a view towards the development of the Harmony Cove lands.
The Minister pointed out that the development would consist of approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, 2,400 of which would be villa-type rooms, while the remaining 2,600 will be hotel rooms.
Additionally, Harmony Cove will also include two Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) golf courses, retail, dining and entertainment amenities, and a world-class marina that can accommodate 300 boats.
In 2003, the Jamaican government, through a partnership between the National Housing Trust and the Development Bank of Jamaica bought 2,200 acres of land in Trelawny, subsequently leading to the formation of the company, Harmonisation Limited.
Tavistock Group was selected from among 60 overseas investors who had expressed an interest in the Harmony Cove resort project following an investors’ conference, held in Montego Bay in 2004.
Former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aimed at effecting negotiation plans for the development of the resort, in February this year.
The MOU provides for the exclusive collaboration between Harmonization Limited and Tavistock Group on due diligence studies, with a view to defining the terms, conditions and parameters of the project.