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Stabroek News

Prime Minister of Jamaica signs off on massive tourism project
published: Friday | September 29, 2006

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer


Left: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.   Right: Chris Anand, managing director, Tavistock Group.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Declaring that no amount of criticism is going to stop development from taking place under her leadership and her Government, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller yesterday signed off on the largest and most ambitious tourism project ever initiated in Jamaica.

In the historic ceremony, which marked the start of a new dawn in the parish of Trelawny, the Government and the Tavistock Group of Florida in the United States agreed to the construction of a resort of no less than 2,000 rooms to be located on the 2,200 acre Harmony Cove property in the parish.

"This development will have a significant and far-reaching impact on the tourism landscape with positive spin-offs for the wider community. It forms part of the strategic plan to reposition Jamaica's tourism industry," said Mrs. Simpson Miller.

She said the US$2 billion (J$132 billion) project is expected to add 5,000 additional rooms to the current room stock, create 10,000 job opportunities in the construction sector in the short term and 10,000 permanent jobs when completed.

"Harmony Cove will create a well-needed economic boom to the parishes of St. Ann, Trelawny and St. James ..." the Prime Minister noted.

Investors Tavistock, a private global firm with major investments in Orlando, Florida, and the Bahamas, said its decision to take on the project which has been in the pipeline for the last four years, was driven by the development of Highway 2000, and the fact that the Sangster International Airport is one of the leading airports in the Caribbean.

"This project could not have happened without the new highway and the expansion taking place at the Sangster International Airport," Chris Anand, managing partner, stressed to the gathering.

The company, which will own 51 per cent of the project in comparison to the Government's 49 per cent share, will pump an initial US$100 million into the venture.

2009 groundbreaking

The company plans to break ground in 2009, with a 10-year plan for the completion of the development.

When completed, Harmony Cove will boast three championship golf courses, world-class spa and fitness centres, an array of luxury residences, water parks, an equestrian centre, a large-scale marina with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and a wide range of amenities celebrating the best of Jamaica's culture and natural beauty.

"Given the beauty of the site and the allure of Jamaica's friendly people and rich cultural heritage in music and the arts, we will create an amazing destination that has tremendous international appeal," said Mr. Anand.

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