Boost in Western Jamaica Tourism to Create 1,500 New Jobs

In a significant development for Jamaica’s tourism sector, Minister of Tourism, the Honorable Mr. Bartlett, announced the creation of 1,500 new jobs stemming from the establishment of two new hotels in Western Jamaica. This major news broke during his speech at the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate held in the House of Representatives on April 30.

In a detailed outline, Minister Bartlett highlighted that the tourism industry is set to expand with over 2,000 new hotel rooms by the end of this year. He detailed the developments, noting, “We will unveil 750 rooms at the RIU in Trelawny and, later in May, the Princess Grand Jamaica in Green Island, Hanover, will open with 1,000 rooms. These projects will create approximately 1,500 new jobs.”

Further amplifying the growth in tourism, Minister Bartlett shed light on the evolving dynamics of lodging preferences among visitors, with a particular focus on the surge in Airbnb accommodations. He emphasized that nearly 29% of tourists now opt for Airbnb stays, significantly benefiting local homeowners and communities.

The impact of Airbnb on the local economy is profound, with the platform generating an estimated $31.8 billion from 1.3 million guest nights in the previous year alone. Moreover, the fiscal year 2023/24 saw a record-setting gross earning of US$4.38 billion from tourism, with stopover arrivals anticipated to reach nearly 3 million and cruise arrivals at about 1.34 million.

Celebrating these figures, Minister Bartlett remarked, “This US$4.38 billion in earnings marks the largest revenue flow in the history of Jamaica’s tourism industry.” He added that this economic boost has revitalized communities previously impacted by COVID-19, turning them into vibrant hubs of commerce and activity and further expanding employment opportunities.

Despite recent travel advisories from the US State Department citing concerns over crime and healthcare access, the tourism minister’s report indicates robust visitor numbers, showcasing ongoing confidence and satisfaction among tourists traveling to Jamaica.

Stay tuned to BATV News for more updates on this developing story.