MINISTER of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has announced plans to establish a major entertainment center in Montego Bay to enhance offerings in the tourism industry.
The project, which will receive financial support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), is set to begin construction later this year and be completed by 2020.
Speaking at the launch of Reggae Month on Tuesday at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge in Kingston, the tourism minister said, “During this fiscal year I will have in the Tourism Enhancement Fund, a provision for the building out of the first major entertainment center in Montego Bay this fiscal year. We will allocate $50 million to do the design and the necessary preparatory work to ensure that construction of that facility can begin later in this fiscal year.”
The minister also announced plans for the development of two major Reggae products, which he hopes will generate employment for locals and create new authentic cultural experiences for visitors.
“So far, $389 million we have placed in the EXIM bank for small and medium tourism enterprises has been un-lent to small businesses. So we have decided of that amount, $100 million is going to be earmarked to enable two major small medium enterprises access to build out Reggae products for Jamaica like 24-7 reggae experiences,” said Minister Bartlett.
Reggae Month was first staged in 2008, through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and the Jamaican Reggae Industry Association. It’s aim is to market Jamaica as the Reggae mecca of the world, while enhancing travel and tourism to the island during the month of February. Each year, the event attracts approximately 40,000 locals and visitors alike.
This year, the month-long of activities have received $15 million in support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund and will be marketed internationally by the Jamaica Tourist Board.
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