New zone for Jamaica’s Tourism Sector

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has announced plans for a new zone to the tourism sector in Jamaica during a recent speech he made on July 12, 2022. The Minister stated that the new zone will be a high-end area for tourism and this new zone will be stretching from Oracabessa in St. Mary to Port Antonio in Portland on the Northern coast of the island. According to Minister Bartlett, this new zone is expected to be supported by an additional non-stop air service flying directly in Ocho Rios providing easier and more direct access to this area of the tourism region. This “Revere Zone” will allow only low-density development, as stated by Minister Bartlett.

Minister Bartlett said that “Jamaica continues to be the most sought-after destination for international travel, so the new zone will be significant.” He further stated that Jamaica was seeking to diversify its tourism sector, “We could not be more pleased to create an area that provides a different type of experience.”  This new addition will now become a part of the tourism northern coastal towns which include St. Ann’s Bay, Discovery Bay, Ocho Rios and now Oracabessa and Port Antonio.

The idea of this new zone creation is also to encourage more travelers to explore areas beyond Montego Bay and Negril. This would extend the reach of tourism into additional communities as part of Jamaica’s Blue Ocean Strategy to build back better and support smaller to medium-sized businesses and individual entrepreneurs operating within the sector, Mr. Bartlett remarked. Plans are already afoot for a new highway to be constructed and this will help pave the way for travelers coming into the island through the Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios to have better access to the zone.

Work has already begun in Port Antonio, St. Mary to increase the tourism attraction in the area to extend contacts for high-end tourism.