Tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett on Thursday, January 19, 2017, signed an agreement with representatives of the Excellence Group of Luxury Hotels and Resorts to build two hotels in Oyster Bay, Trelawny.
The hotels will add over 700 rooms to the island’s room-stock, a release from the Tourism Ministry said.
The released said the Excellence Group, is renowned for its award-winning luxurious properties and plans to begin construction on their first property in Jamaica next month.
The first hotel will be built at a cost of US$110 million. It will have some 325-rooms and is expected to open its doors to guests in the first half of 2018. The second property, which will have some 400 rooms, will open at a later date. The project is expected to generate some 2,000 new jobs in the construction and operation phases.
The minister signed the agreement with the CEO of the Excellence Group, Antonio Montaner – Ferrer and the group’s country manager for Jamaica, Rafael Matas. The signing took place in Spain, at Jamaica’s booth at FITUR, which is largest International Tourism Trade Fair for inbound and outbound Ibero American markets.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Bartlett said, “investment in Jamaica’s tourism sector is booming. We welcome this new project as it marks the entry of yet another major brand to the sector. The entry of the Excellence Group to the Jamaican landscape will certainly broaden the options available to visitors and help to enhance our product offering. I am pleased that both hotels will be luxury properties as the first hotel will be branded as an Excellence property while the second will be operated under the group’s top brand – Finest.”
