At the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for phase one of the US$1 billion Harmony Cove tourism complex in Trelawny, Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett used the opportunity to shine a light on the progress made by Jamaica’s tourism industry and how it is not solely about the all-inclusive model.

Below is his address in full:

Today marks a truly exciting moment for Jamaica’s tourism industry and our nation as a whole as we stage the symbolic ribbon-cutting for the long-awaited Harmony Cove Hotel right here in beautiful Trelawny.

This ceremonial event marks the culmination of years of meticulous planning. It represents the planting of seeds that will grow into a transformative addition to our tourism landscape, creating ripples throughout our economy.

In addition, this development represents a powerful partnership between the global private investment leader Tavistock Group and the Jamaican government’s Harmonisation Ltd. As we stand on this promising ground today, I am filled with immense pride and optimism about what this partnership signifies for our nation’s economic development.

Together, we are building something that will elevate Jamaica’s tourism product and profoundly impact the lives and prosperity of thousands of Jamaicans and local businesses.

Moreover, this Harmony Cove Development stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering confidence that investors have in Jamaica’s tourism industry and the overall economic climate. In a global marketplace where investment capital can flow anywhere, the decision of the Tavistock Group to commit substantial resources to this project speaks volumes about Jamaica’s reputation as a premier investment destination.

This vote of confidence is not by accident. It is the result of the Government’s steadfast commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, maintaining economic stability and fostering public-private partnerships that benefit all stakeholders.

Jamaica offers not just breathtaking natural beauty but also the policy framework, infrastructure and human capital necessary for tourism ventures to thrive.

This US$1-billion integrated resort project is set to transform 2,300 acres of Trelawny’s stunning coastline into a world-class destination.

This project will bring not only world-class luxury accommodation with 1,000 rooms and a full-service casino, but also a host of amenities, including a championship Tiger Woods­designed golf course, a Justin Timberlake-developed entertainment venue, and a wide array of beach and marine activities.

But, beyond these impressive features, what truly excites me is how this development will diversify our tourism product, moving beyond the traditional all-inclusive concept to showcase a different dimension of Jamaica’s hospitality potential.

The economic impact of Harmony Cove will extend far beyond these grounds. While this project will employ thousands of Jamaicans, the true multiplier effect lies in the linkages this development will create throughout our economy. From construction materials to furnishings, from food supplies to transportation services, Harmony Cove opens doors for local manufacturers, farmers, artisans, and service providers to participate in and benefit from tourism growth.

These linkages represent the real economic power of tourism development, creating sustainable livelihoods across multiple sectors and strengthening our economic resilience.

This is underscored by our Local First Initiative, which champions Jamaica owning the supply side of its tourism industry. We will be passing legislation and implementing incentives to ensure greater participation of Jamaican manufacturers, farmers, creatives, and professionals in the tourism supply chain. This approach ensures more local money stays in local hands and circulates through our communities.

The initiative builds directly on our Tourism Linkages Network successes, like Christmas in July and the Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) e-commerce platform. These, and similar initiatives, have been instrumental in achieving a 40.8 per cent tourism dollar retention, clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of our deliberate linkage strategies.

Jamaica’s tourism industry is experiencing remarkable growth. In 2024 alone, we have seen the addition of some 2,000 new hotel rooms. This month, July, marks further significant progress with US$4 billion in new major investments underway, including both groundbreakings and announcements. These developments are significant progress toward our ambitious goal of adding 20,000 rooms within the next 10-15 years.

In addition, the first half of 2025 saw 2.2 million visitors and $2.3 billion in earnings. While arrivals were flat in the early part of the year, visitor numbers are now surging. Preliminary figures indicate that for the first two weeks of July, Jamaica recorded 125,112 stopover visitors, a 28.8 per cent increase over the same period last year, signalling strong renewed momentum, likely buoyed by Reggae Sumfest and the summer event scene.

When most people picture tourism in Jamaica, they imagine sun, sea and sand. While those elements are undeniably a big part of our appeal, we see tourism as a powerful tool for social inclusion, employment and poverty reduction. This broader vision is the driving force behind our 5X5X5 strategic growth plan, which aims to attract 5 million visitors and achieve US$5 billion in annual earnings by the end of 2025.

This plan is designed to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism sector reaches unprecedented levels of diversification and expansion, and current trends clearly show we are on the right path.

Every additional visitor who arrives on our shores brings new opportunities with them. Each new hotel that opens is a doorway to a better life for many Jamaicans. Think about it. Every arrival creates jobs for our citizens, from the front desk to the farmlands, from the drivers on our roads to the artisans in our craft markets.

Tourism does not exist in isolation; it expansion creates ripples that reach every comer of our society. As demand for goods and services increases, it empowers small businesses, farmers, entertainers, and countless others who are the heartbeat of our economy.

Therefore, as this vital industry grows, so too must our commitment to ensuring that these opportunities are accessible, sustainable and truly transformative for every Jamaican.

This tourism boom has created real opportunities and delivered substantial benefits directly to the people of Trelawny. The parish is rapidly emerging as one of Jamaica’s most sought-after locations.

Over the past decade, this beautiful parish has welcomed major developments like Excellence Oyster Bay and Riu Palace Aquarelle, with several other prominent brands also committing to projects in the area.

Trelawny has always been brimming with potential, thanks to its stunning natural beauty and vibrant culture. Its parish capital, Falmouth, is a true treasure with its rich history, remarkable Georgian architecture and numerous attractions.

The Jamaican government has implemented several initiatives to enhance tourism infrastructure in Trelawny, with significant improvements to road networks and port development, and the establishment of the Artisan Village at the old Hampden Wharf.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is fully committed to the revitalisation of Falmouth’s Heritage District. We are talking about a comprehensive facelift that has breathed new life into some of our most cherished landmarks.

This includes extensive renovations to the Trelawny Parish Church, the Falmouth Post Office, Falmouth Court House and Water Square, streetscape improvements to Market Street, Harbour Lane and Falmouth Street as well as rehabilitation of heritage buildings and the Jewish Cemetery as part of Falmouth Heritage District.

We look forward to the completion of Harmony Cove, a development poised to significantly boost Trelawny’s appeal as a prime destination. This project will expand the parish’s hotel offerings and substantially increase its room count, attracting even more visitors. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to nurturing an environment where tourism catalyses a prosperous future that will benefit not only Trelawny and Jamaica but also every Jamaican who stands to benefit from these exciting developments.

Thank you.