KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has announced the largest Spanish investment of over two billion US dollars that it says will create approximately 19,000 new jobs in construction and tourism services.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (second from right) is presented with plans for the expansion of Grand Palladium Resort in Hanover by Abel Matutes, President of Palladium Hotel Group. (JIS Photo)Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who led a delegation to Spain last week for the annual International travel and tourism tradeshow (FITUR), said negotiations had been concluded with three major Spanish hoteliers who are now in advance stages of development approval in Jamaica for groundbreaking events this year.
The projects will result in luxury rooms in Lucea Hanover by Grand Palladium; housing units for tourism workers; a Convention Centre; entertainment facilities; and golf courses among other amenities.
“This is indeed a testament to the confidence our Spanish hotel partners have in the destination. As they continue to grow their businesses on the island, it will increase the economic benefits for the communities and at the national level. It simply means more jobs and more product offerings to fill the increased demand for Jamaica’s tourism,” said Bartlett.
For Bahia Principe in Runnaway Bay St Ann, lead by Spain’s Pinero family, there will be two new luxury hotels and cosmopolitan villas with a residential community; fisherman village; PGA golf course; private schools and entertainment; dozens of swimming pools; and walking trails.
This development will employ 12,500 workers.
Luxury brand Secrets resorts will construct several hundred rooms in Richmond St Ann, employing 2000 persons.
In July 2008, the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa opened its doors. The initial investment amounted to $220 million, boasting 1,054 rooms across two properties.
The luxury Secrets Resorts and Spas hotel chain began its operations in 2010 with its 700 side by side Secrets Wild Orchid and Secret St. James brands in Montego Bay.
“I am also pleased that these new expansion projects have environmentally sustainable governance principles and a social development focus. Activities like farming and more community inclusivity will ensure a more sustainable approach to increasing their footprints and have social initiatives that will benefit our tourism workers,” Bartlett added.
He said these developments represent”a clear signal that Jamaica is in demand and that we have developed an attractive tourism product. We will continue in our efforts to attract tourism investments and see to it that the benefits of tourism are properly spread throughout the economy.
“Given this rapid rate of growth and development, a very solid approach is being taken in tying housing, agriculture and firmer linkages in the provision of goods and services to the benefit of even more Jamaicans,” said Bartlett, adding “I will have more to say on this in the coming weeks and months as we have a lot of issues to sort through, as right now some micro, small, medium and big companies are struggling to keep up with current demands from the sector”.
