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Hoteliers Encouraged To Use More Local Produce

By: , November 18, 2019

The Key Point:

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging hoteliers islandwide to utilise more local produce in meals prepared for their guests.
Hoteliers Encouraged To Use More Local Produce
Photo: Serena Grant
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, addresses guests during the official signing of a hotel management agreement between the Amaterra Jamaica Group and Marriott International, at the Hard Rock Café in St. James on Wednesday (November 13).
Hoteliers Encouraged To Use More Local Produce
Photo: Serena Grant
Guests attending the official signing of a hotel management agreement between the Amaterra Jamaica Group and Marriott International, at the Hard Rock Café in St. James on Wednesday (November 13).

The Facts

  • He was addressing the press launch for the official signing of a hotel management agreement between the Amaterra Jamaica Group and Marriott International, at the Hard Rock Café in St. James on Wednesday (November 13).
  • Mr. Shaw argued that the island “must get to a point where tourists are fed with predominantly Jamaican produce, so [that] we can have more value added back into the economy and back into the lives and livelihoods of Jamaicans”.

The Full Story

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging hoteliers islandwide to utilise more local produce in meals prepared for their guests.

He was addressing the press launch for the official signing of a hotel management agreement between the Amaterra Jamaica Group and Marriott International, at the Hard Rock Café in St. James on Wednesday (November 13).

Mr. Shaw argued that the island “must get to a point where tourists are fed with predominantly Jamaican produce, so [that] we can have more value added back into the economy and back into the lives and livelihoods of Jamaicans”.

“The remarkable culinary industry that Jamaica boasts and the gastronomical delights prepared in our various resorts attest to the versatility of our Jamaican produce towards satisfying the appetites and palates of our tourists,” Mr. Shaw said.

He pointed out that the tourism industry’s continued growth presents additional opportunities for linkages with the agricultural sector.

In this vein, the Minister indicated his endorsement of plans by Amaterra to incorporate an agricultural component in the project, which will bolster the value chain and facilitate the integration of both the tourism and agricultural sectors.

“The intention is to supply the fruits and vegetables that the hotels will need, and to eventually expand this across the north coast. This integrated approach is indicative of the thinking that is needed to bring about true economic benefits to the communities in which the project is located and, of course, in the country,” Mr. Shaw underscored.

The partnership will see Marriott bringing its first all-inclusive property to the island.

The project, to be sited in Trelawny, will be Amaterra’s flagship development and will comprise 800 rooms initially, and two miles of white-sand beach.

For her part, President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, said the signing of the agreement was an “exciting and emotional moment, to witness the coming together of a great partnership to deliver the first Marriott all-inclusive resort for Jamaica”.

“Today is the start of the next phase of a journey that will transform Amaterra and Trelawny into the next jewel in Jamaica’s crown,” she added.

Marriott International currently has more than 7,200 properties under 30 leading brands in 134 countries. The organisation also boasts 137-million Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members.

Amaterra is developing a resort township on approximately 1,000 acres of land that will entail 8,000 hotel rooms and branded residences in Trelawny.

Construction of the property is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020 and be completed in 2022.

Last Updated: November 18, 2019

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