PM Welcomes China’s Interest in Harmony Cove

MONTEGO BAY — Prime Minister, the Hon Bruce Golding, has said that through the proposed establishment of the multi-billion dollar, 4,000-room Harmony Cove Resort in Trelawny, Jamaica plans to diversify its tourism offering to become an unforgettable luxury destination.

Addressing a special luncheon with the President of the EXIM Bank of China, and accompanying leaders of that country’s business sector, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spa in Montego Bay, Mr. Golding noted that were it not for the recession, Harmony Cove would have been well advanced.

“Harmony Cove is a project that offers so many possibilities for Jamaica … and involves much more than just an additional 4,000 rooms, but what we are seeking to do is to diversify in a transformational way, our tourism offerings,” he said.

“We have done well in tourism, as I indicated to you Chairman Li, we were one of a very few countries, and I would be surprised if we are not, in fact, the only country that during the recession when visitor arrivals in almost every other tourism country was going down, we not only maintained our visitor arrivals, but we had a marginal increase in all of those years,” the Prime Minister asserted.

He pointed out that part of the reason for that, was the strength of the Jamaican Brand which is well known and a preferred destination, backed by a “first class marketing team” led by Tourism Minister, Hon Ed Bartlett.

“There are so many other areas of tourism where we feel that we could do well and, for that reason, we are pursuing things like Eco Tourism, focusing particularly on our South Coast. We are exploring Health Tourism, Sports Tourism and so on,” Mr. Golding stated.

Turning to Harmony Cove, he said that, in terms of its concept, its target market, the partnerships that have been built, it represents a new experience for Jamaica in tourism and one that has much potentials. He paid tribute to the Tavistock Group, which he said was just as disappointed as the government that, because of the global recession, the original schedule has been disrupted.

He said he was excited when he was told that they were now looking to the East, and that the negotiations have involved the EXIM Bank.

“We had discussions, at lunch, about an approach that would perhaps hasten the process of getting the project started … because we want to work with you to see how we can get this going,” the Prime Minister stated.

“It’s a project that is going to mean a great deal to the people of Jamaica. It’s going to mean a whole new dimension of our tourism product and, if there is any ‘I’ that needs to be dotted or any ‘T’ that needs to be crossed to make this a reality, then we stand ready to work with the group and work with the EXIM Bank to see how we can make this dream come through,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the EXIM Bank for the support given to Jamaica over the years, including with the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

President of the EXIM Bank, Mr. Li Ruogu, in acknowledging the appreciation from Prime Minister Golding, said that he was committed to doing his best to help to develop strong economic relationship between China and Jamaica.

“That is our very determined and firm commitment. So ladies and gentlemen and friends, please trust us. We will be your development partner,” he stated.

By GLENIS   ROSE, JIS Reporter