New resorts, int’l airport & craft village in Negril upgrade plan: Bartlett

In Jamaica, the Hanover parish capital, Lucea, as well as the resort town of Negril are being earmarked for major development to enhance them as tourist towns, according to an update shared by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

With key hotel developments currently underway east and west of Lucea, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says much is in store that will make this area rival other existing resorts.

Construction is underway on the 950-room expansion of Grand Palladium Resorts as well as the new 2,000-room Princess Jamaica Resort.

Also, work is expected to commence shortly on construction of the Viva Wyndham Resort in Hanover.

Further details on these developments will be known when Minister Bartlett makes his Sectoral Presentation in Parliament on April 18.

Meanwhile, he has also signalled that one of Lucea’s historical treasures, Fort Charlotte, is to receive attention and play an important role in marine life in the west.

“Negril is one of our premier tourist destinations and in need of a major injection of resource support to realize its full potential. Within the upcoming fiscal year, the Government will present a comprehensive development plan which will include an international airport, a public beach park, a craft village and, with the help of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a restored Royal Palm Reserve,” said Minister Bartlett during a budget presentation, echoing announcements made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. 

He said that Negril, soon, will be “the jewel of Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

Additional infrastructure developments that will benefit Negril are the recently announced bypass road arrangements from Hopewell and Lucea, which will ease traffic congestion and make for faster travel time, as well as significant upgrades to the water and sewage systems. 

These major projects will start this financial year.

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