New Hotel Will Enhance Tourism Product in Jamaica, Says Minister

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says the new Courtyard Marriott business hotel to be constructed in New Kingston, will further enhance Jamaica's tourism product, while adding to the island’s appeal as a world class destination.

"As we promote brand Jamaica, the raising of a Marriott flag in our destination is a welcome development. This complements our strategic vision for the capital city of Kingston as a major tourist destination," he said at the ground breaking ceremony for the hotel last week.

The minister said he is pleased with this investment in the development of the country's hotel industry, noting that the new entity would serve to increase the number of hotel rooms available for visitors to the city.

"It is recognized that tourism is a highly effective agent of development and investments in the industry play a significant role in stimulating growth in our economy. It is therefore of notable significance that we are seeing a resurgence of investor confidence in the hotel sector," he said, noting that several new investors have acquired existing properties, new brands have come on board and other hotel chains are either planning to expand or constructing new properties.

For his part, opposition spokesman on tourism and travel service development, Edmund Bartlett, also welcomed the investment, noting that it represented "another chapter in the annals of tourism development and expansion in Jamaica as well as a testament to private sector leadership and dynamism in our country."

"Among avid tourism watchers like myself and Minister McNeill, nothing can be more heartwarming than occasions like this, where we start the build out of what will undoubtedly be another iconic attraction in our capital city," Bartlett said.

Meanwhile, chairman of Pan Jamaican Investment Trust (Pan-Jam) and director, Caribe Hospitality Jamaica, Stephen Facey, noted that the hotel will be the third Marriott Courtyard in the English-speaking Caribbean and one of eight being developed in the region by Caribe Hospitality.

"Of particular note, this will be the first leadership in energy and environmental design certified building in Jamaica and it is designed to meet very high standards of environmental sustainability as well as energy efficiency and water conservation," he said.

The five-story 130-room business hotel, which represents an investment of just under US$22 million or just over JA$2 billion is expected to provide jobs during construction. Upon completion, it is expected to provide employment for about 430 Jamaicans. Construction is projected for 18 months with a scheduled opening in 2015.

The development is being undertaken by Pan-Jam, in collaboration with Costa Rica-based Caribe Hospitality and Victor Mouttet Limited based in Trinidad, which together form Caribe Hospitality Jamaica Limited. Marriott International operates 3,500 properties in 71 countries.