Tourism Minister Says Playing Field is Level for All Investors

The playing field is level for all investors in the tourist industry, says Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

In an interview with JIS News, the Minister said the Government allows investors to present their business models and how they want to invest their money in the sector.

Dr. McNeill pointed out that the Government has moved to make the process of doing business in the country easier.

“We have levelled the playing field, so that we do not have a lot of loopholes that drive investments in one direction, so that the investment dollar goes to the area that is most efficient,” he said.

The Minister noted that investments in the hotel sector have been mostly along the lines of the all-inclusive model, which is largely the case across the Caribbean. However, he said there will always be room for investments in the European Plan (bed and breakfast).

“It (the all-inclusive concept) is the model that is working. But it allows for great opportunities, because there are those in the industry that want European Plan (EP) hotels, especially the Europeans. As the all-inclusive sector grows, it puts pressure and demands for investments in the EP sector. I expect that the EP investments will come in time, but it’s the market forces that will determine that,” Dr.  McNeill argued.

Meanwhile, the Minister said he is anxiously awaiting completion of renovation work on the Hyatt Ziva Hotel, in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, which is the former Ritz Carlton Rose Hall. That resort, which closed its doors as the Ritz Carlton in December last year, is scheduled for opening in November of this year.

“I went on tour of the resort recently and observed that it will be a fabulous product. The investment that they are putting in is massive…it is like they are building a new hotel. I think it is between 150 and 200 new rooms that they are adding, they have built new swimming pools, maybe five new restaurants…it’s a massive investment,” he said.

Dr. McNeill asserted that the investments by Hyatt Ziva, Marriott’s and other companies are proof that Jamaica is still able to attract top brands.

“Right now Jamaica is among the most exciting destinations in terms of new products….not just in the Caribbean, but in this Hemisphere. We are doing remarkably well in that regard and the fact is that every day a new person is enquiring, and one of the things we have to do is to pave the way for these potential investors to make it easier for them to invest in our country,” he said.