Jamaica
News - Real Estate - Tourism (November
20,
2004)
Jamaica Tourism Sector Continues To Grow
Jamaica's tourism
industry is strong, solid and on an historic growth path, the
island's tourism top brass declared at the recently concluded
Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-27) in Aruba.
The island's minister of Tourism
and Industry, Aloun N'dombet Assamba, also told travel agents and
the media about her government's vision for the sector, and
provided an overview of the new properties and those under
development, which will add significantly to the inventory of
hotel rooms.
"We have developed a 'Master
Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development’," she said, which
represents the best ideas of Jamaicans for the way forward. The
pillars of the plan include growth based on a sustainable market
position, enhancement of the visitor experience, community-based
tourism development, the building of an inclusive industry, and
fostering environmental sustainability.
Local investment is funding
several of the projects under development, including Sandals
Whitehouse on the south coast, with 80 suites among its 360 rooms,
which welcomes its first guests in February. The Sunset Resort
Group will launch Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort (formerly
Renaissance Jamaica Grande) March 19th with 720 rooms, while
Negril Cabins will open under the new name Sunset at the Palms
Resort & Spa in January. Country Country in Negril, acquired
by the owners of the Coyaba Resort, adds six rooms to the existing
14 this winter with another 50 expected by 2006; while a new
SuperClubs hotel, Rooms on the Beach (formerly Club Jamaica) opens
in November with 104 rooms and suites.
Jamaica's tourism officials also
estimate that overseas investment will add more than 5,000 rooms
to its inventory. For example, earlier this year, Spain's RIU
group opened more than 800 rooms between two properties in Negril,
and they have plans for a further 850 in Ocho Rios in a year's
time.
Next year, AM Resorts starts
work on four hotels that will create 1,700 rooms in Trelawny,
while Grupo Pinero will soon break ground on three new hotels
totaling 1,800 rooms in St. Ann. IberoStar has similar plans for
950 rooms over three hotels in Montego Bay.
Harmony Cove, a 1,400-acre
beachfront property development, including three luxury hotels,
two championship golf courses, a marina, a private airport, as
well as manor houses and elegant estate villas, is also in the
works between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, while work is in progress
for a new 'Shoppes at Rose Hall', an upscale shopping, dining and
entertainment complex.
Jamaica's road network and
infrastructure is stronger than ever, with multiple stretches of
new highway, and improving attractions for visitors. Kingston's
Hip Strip will soon feature a pedestrian zone by night and a
selection of sidewalk cafes, while the Prospect Plantation Tour
will include a visit to a Jamaican farm, horseback riding and an
experience at the popular Dolphin Cove.
While Jamaica expands its tourism
offerings, the options for getting to them are also increasing.
United Airlines starts twice weekly Chicago-Montego Bay service in
December; US Airways begins daily flights from Fort
Lauderdale-Kingston next February; there will be a number of new
charter services from cities in the US and Canada, while Air
Jamaica's daily service from Toronto since spring has helped
increase options for both the Canadian and Caribbean traveler.
"Tourism continues to be a
major catalyst for the growth and development of the Jamaican
economy," Minister Assamba assured as she thanked industry
partners for their support of the new plans for the destination.
Addressing the international media,
Jamaica's Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook spoke of the island's
close call with Hurricane Ivan, which caused some harm on the
Negril West End and the South Coast, but left the wider tourism
infrastructure in tact.
While he assured the region that
helping its Caribbean neighbors who were more seriously affected
by the seasonal storms is still a top priority, he reassured the
industry that the island still pursues its tourism development
agenda. So, "Jamaica is indeed open for business," the
director told the press, affirming that air service, cruise lines
and attractions are back to full throttle in time for the busy
winter season.
To keep up the momentum, Jamaica
will launch a new ad campaign this fall with the tagline,
"Once You Go, You Know", focusing on the extraordinary
diversity, culture and charms of the island – and designed to
maintain that growth of the tourism industry.
Details of upcoming special
events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica are posted on
the Jamaica Tourist Board’s web site at www.visitjamaica.com.
JTB can be reached toll-free at 1-800-233-4JTB (1-800-233-4582).
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