US$1 billion in new rooms set for resort sector by 2023

[Jangle]

INVESTORS are set to spend close to US$2 billion to add new rooms to Jamaica's tourism product over the next two years, the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) disclosed on July 2. The investment in the number of rooms is expected to come from current and new players in Jamaica's tourism industry.

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's minister of tourism, outlined that the investment will result in the addition of 7,000 new rooms and in excess of 20,000 direct and new part-time and full-time jobs.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/busi...6?profile=1056

[HL]

.........wase-a-money dat!

[Karl]

.........wase-a-money dat!

Why?
You doubt marketing shall result in financial sustainable room occupancy? ...i.e. not enough visitors to meet necessary occupancy to make for profit/acceptable ROI?

Just checking to see where your thoughts are taking you!

[HL]

....I was being sarcastic King Karl--purely sarcasm.

[Jangle]

Western tourism interests welcome move to expand runway at SIA

MONTEGO BAY, St James





Work to expand the runway at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St James, is now underway and tourism interests in the western Jamaica are anticipating the benefits that the development will bring on completion.



The expanded runway will allow larger airplanes, especially from Europe and Asia, to be accommodated at the facility.



According to CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, operators of the facility, Shane Munroe, the move has become necessary because of the need for the airport to receive “the ever-increasing amount of wide-body and long-haul aircraft.”



“We are looking forward to receiving an ever-increasing amount of wide-body and long-haul aircraft from destinations as far as Europe and beyond. This project will ensure that we have the right runway aviation infrastructure to meet these goals while enhancing the safety of aircraft operations to meet international requirements,” Munroe told the Jamaica Observer West.



The work started last week and so far, the designated space for the expansion is being cleared of trees and other objects. The runway pavement at the airport is set to be expanded by 408 metres and will see the establishment of runway-end safety areas (RESAs) as well. There will also be the installation of new lighting as well as other navigational aids. The contract is valued at some US$34 million and work is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/obse...6?profile=1431

[Assasin]

Why?
You doubt marketing shall result in financial sustainable room occupancy? ...i.e. not enough visitors to meet necessary occupancy to make for profit/acceptable ROI?

Just checking to see where your thoughts are taking you!

Ask X him will tell you .

[Jangle]

JAAA boss Gayle toys with idea of bringing World Indoor to MoBay


President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Garth Gayle has suggested that his executive would be willing to bid to stage a World Athletics World Indoor Championships at the Montego Bay Conference Centre.

Gayle, who recently attended that staging of the three-day event in Belgrade, Serbia, where Jamaica won a gold and two bronze medals, said the resort city had all the necessary amenities to stage the championships.



“The MoBay Conference Centre could be a venue that could be turned into an indoor track and field facility. Why can't we host a World Indoor Championships, [as] Montego Bay has all the amenities — the hotels, transportation, the airport and that is most of the critical things needed for the successful staging of a world indoor championships,” he said.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/spor...4?profile=1498

[Jangle]

Tourism ministry tries to train its way out of labour shortage

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Faced with a shortage of trained workers and a boom expected in the local hospitality industry over the next three years, the tourism ministry is offering free certification courses as it pulls out all the stops to find a way out of the problem.

The courses, being offered by the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), target youngsters who wish to pursue a profession in the sector, said JCTI director Carol Rose Brown.



“Our country is set to add 15,000 hotel rooms. You may not know this, but Trelawny is about to become the parish with the greatest number of hotel rooms in Jamaica. We have to find people to work in these hotels,” she said during the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) Youth Expo at Montego Bay Convention Centre on March 29.



“The current shortage of workers is an indication of our need for new trained, certified people ready to get into the sector,” she added.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news...5?profile=1431

[Jangle]

RIU eyes more Jamaican hotels

Up to US$100m investment in Trelawny resort

RIU Resorts will pump between US$80 million and US$100 million into its newest Jamaican resort, RIU Aquarelle in Trelawny, creating some 450 jobs in the long term and 800 during construction, says Carmen Riu, chief executive officer of the hotel chain.

Ms Riu had just completed the groundbreaking ceremony in Coopers Pen for a 700-room resort in the fastest-growing tourism area in the country when she revealed to The Gleaner how important Jamaica was to the chain, which was the first Spanish investor to construct a resort here.

Beaming with pride, the CEO, who already operates seven resorts between Negril and Ocho Rios, said 15 per cent of its 28,000 staff were based here.

“The industry has taken on increased significance because the truth is the Government has focused on the industry and has given leadership and direction and emphasis to the industry. Tourism plays a critical role in the Government’s road to prosperity for the people,” the prime minister said.

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/...amaican-hotels

[Jangle]

A rebounding north coast

As we drove along the north coast highway, ever entranced by the turquoise water, there were new construction sites with signage announcing enticing features for gated communities.

The Richmond Hill development has been an unqualified success thanks to the planners and the Edward Seaga Highway, which has allowed for a smooth 45-minute commute. KFC and Starbucks have also taken advantage of the opportunities presented by these developing communities, and when we passed them near lunchtime on Friday there was a long drive-through line.

Heightened activity at hotels, guest houses, business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities, commercial establishments, sprawling gas stations, and colourful jerk joints signal a post-pandemic revival. The Drax Hall to Rio Bueno stretch will be transformed in the next two years, and Jamaicans in the Diaspora are taking notice. What better place to retire but in your home country, living in a secure community, steps away from a swim in the warm Caribbean Sea?

American Airlines will begin making three flights weekly in November between Miami and Ocho Rios — actually the Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, St Mary. The travel website Aviacionline noted, “Ocho R

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colu...g-north-coast/

[Assasin]

Now the narrative changed from "can't find work" to "Training the youths" . That is step 1