Bartlett reports massive growth in tourism
Published:Wednesday | May 1, 2024 | 12:10 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Parliamentary Reporter
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is reporting significant growth in the sector for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with gross earnings amounting to US$4.38 billion, a 9.6 per cent increase over the corresponding financial year.
Providing an overview of the performance of the tourism sector in his opening contribution to the 2024 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday, Bartlett reported that stopover arrivals are estimated at 2.96 million, reflecting a 9.4 per cent increase.
Bartlett said cruise arrivals are expected to reach 1.34 million, up by 9 per cent from the previous period in 2022-23.
Highlighting the performance of the country’s major airports, the tourism minister said the Kingston and Montego Bay-based airports collectively generated revenue amounting to US$200.28 million or J$30 billion.
He said the revenue surge coincided with a record-breaking 6.96 million passengers traversing these facilities. Most of these earnings stemmed from MBJ Airports Limited, the operator of Sangster International Airport (SIA), he added.
Bartlett told his parliamentary colleagues that confidence remains steadfast in the country’s tourism sector, with the “imminent completion of 2,000 new rooms in 2024 alone, we are making significant strides towards our ambitious target of adding 20,000 rooms within the 10 to 15 years”.
In the weeks ahead, Bartlett said the Government would unveil the first 1,000 rooms of the Princess Grand Jamaica in Hanover, and in just two weeks the opening of the 753-room Riu Palace Aquarelle in Trelawny, as well as the 450-room Unico Hotel in Montego Bay next summer. He said these hotels will generate nearly 2,500 new direct jobs with thousands more benefiting indirectly.
He also pointed to the short-term vacation rental component of the industry that is also booming. Data from Airbnb indicates that guest check-ins for January to December 2023 increased by 28 per cent over 2022, generating an estimated J$31.8 billion in gross earnings from 1.3 million guest nights.
“Moreover, the short-term vacation rental subsector continues to gain market share, with approximately 36 per cent of visitors opting for this accommodation category.”
Bartlett said while efforts are underway to add more rooms for visitors, the industry workers have not been forgotten in these plans. He said the ministry has welcomed the pledge by four major international hotel investors, including RCD Hotels, Bahia Principe, Grand Palladium and Princess Resorts, who have committed to constructing more than 2,000 residential units for industry employees combined.
He said this includes apartments and houses for the workers and their immediate relatives.
Still on the area of housing for tourism workers, Bartlett said that through the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s partnership with the New Social Housing Programme, the Government will allocate J$500 million to improve housing conditions for workers in the sector who live in substandard conditions.
He said the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) has also embarked on an ambitious journey to rejuvenate brownfield sites in collaboration with critical stakeholders like the TEF.
During the 2023–24 fiscal year, the HAJ advanced the Grange Pen Brownfield Development project, focusing on vital infrastructure upgrades, including water supply, sewerage systems, and overall household infrastructure enhancements.
Bartlett said the issuance of 314 certificates of title represents a significant milestone, granting residents the long-awaited land tenure security.
“These initiatives underscore the unwavering commitment of the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Housing Agency of Jamaica to elevate the living standards of our tourism workforce, thereby ensuring their well-being and fostering the sustainable growth of our tourism industry,” he said.