Tourism Development on Track Despite COVID-19

• Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, says 90 per cent of all planned tourism investments remain on track despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are currently more than a dozen hotel development projects in progress throughout the different areas of the island. 
• The Government has been undertaking its share of investment in the sector, and is spending billions of dollars to invest in the expansion and rehabilitation of our tourism infrastructure. “This includes improvements to the island’s two major airports and the development of beach facilities, among many other projects,” the Permanent Secretary explained. 
• Moreover, the GOJ is investing in its people as it seeks to drive community tourism experiences that bring the economic benefit of tourism directly into communities around Jamaica. By providing communities with investment opportunities, stakeholders are allowed to expand their local businesses and trade, which will lead to a more resilient tourism sector. 
• These investment projects will aid in the rebound of the tourism sector, which is currently projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2024. It will also support the sector’s contribution to economic growth as the export of services, especially tourism products, will be the main driver of the projected 4.2% growth in the economy in 2022.

(Source: JIS & NCBCM Research)