US$1b contract signed for St Ann hotel
Ja’s largest single resort development slated for Llandovery
LAST YEAR also witnessed the rebranding, expansion and upgrading of several properties.
Nearly 2,400 new hotel rooms were added to the country’s stock. An additional 1,035 rooms now under construction are slated to come on stream in 2017.
In addition, 32 high-end rooms and eight two-bedroom apartments are being built at The Renfrew in Kingston, while redevelopment work is under way at the former Wyndham New Kingston Hotel, which was acquired by the Courtleigh Hotel Group.
A major contract was signed for the largest single development of hotels in Jamaica’s history, being undertaken by Karisma Hotels and Resorts.
The US$1 billion mega-hotel project in Llandovery, St Ann, is expected to add some 5,000 new rooms, provide at least 8,000 direct jobs as well as 10,000 indirect jobs in the coming years.
In December, the ministry officially launched five new networks under its overarching Tourism Linkages Network initiative, to better position the sector to generate higher growth rates, in both visitor arrivals and earnings.
These networks will focus on strengthening the linkage with the manufacturing and agricultural sectors as well as the creative industries. The networks will also focus on gastronomy, sports and entertainment, health and wellness, shopping, and the knowledge economy.
“If we intend to attract five million visitors by 2021, generate $5 billion in tourism earnings, increase the total direct jobs to 125,000 and add 15,000 new hotel rooms, then we must put in place the framework to foster the growth of this sector,” Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett said.
“So, the networks will aid in transforming the sector, deepen linkages and achieve significant growth,” he added.