Jamaicans Will Benefit From Tourism Boom – Dr. McNeill

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said the Government will be ensuring that the levels of growth being experienced in tourism trickles down to other sectors of the economy, and benefits the Jamaican people.

“Our mission and role, above all else, is to see that this growth and optimism in our tourism sector have a meaningful impact on the economy and people of Jamaica,” Dr. McNeill said.

“We need to develop our linkages so that other sectors including agriculture, transport, among others, benefit from it,” he added.

The Minister was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, where he cited the “unprecedented levels” of investment in the upgrading and development of hotel properties.

“If you travel across the north coast, the Bahia Principe has almost completed  expansion; The Royalton in Trelawny is putting in another 200 rooms; the Riu is constructing another 450 rooms, plus an additional 50 rooms in their Montego Bay Palace Hotel,” he pointed out.

He also mentioned the recently opened Sensatori, while the Grand Lido in Negril is to be rebuilt. In addition, the operators of the Secrets Hotel in Montego Bay are building another property called ‘Breathless’.

Dr. McNeill cited upgrades done in 2014 at the Riu Palace, Hyatt (formerly Ritz- Carlton), and the Royalton, while Riu Negril and the Beaches Negril undertook refurbishing works this year.

The Moon Palace Ocho Rios as well as the Courtyard Marriott in Kingston, opened their doors earlier this month, while Mellier Braco is expected to come on stream in early 2016.

“These works are lifting the level of what Jamaica has to offer,” he noted.

The Minister said that the long-term outlook for the industry is very positive, as there are major investments expected.

Among these is the addition of 4,000 rooms by the Karisma Group; 2,500 by China Harbour, as well as 800 rooms in Trelawny by the Ocean by H10 Hotels group.