KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it will conduct a tourism economic impact study to identify the economic, fiscal, social, and environmental impact of developing an additional 15,000 to 20,000 hotel rooms to augment the country’s existing stock.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told Parliament that the Ministry of Tourism would spearhead the exercise and that the objectives of the study are to identify and evaluate the potential impact of the proposed developments on the gross domestic product (GDP); foreign exchange earnings; investment; government revenue and expenditure; income and employment (direct and indirect); and key related sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment.
The study is also intended to identify and evaluate the potential impact of the proposed developments on infrastructure needs, the environment, and individuals and provide recommendations to mitigate possible adverse effects.
“This is the most substantial increase in room stock over the shortest period in Jamaica’s history. It represents a uniquely transformative moment. We must seize the moment to obtain the maximum social and economic benefit,” Bartlett said.
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