Jamaica Announces a New Zone for Tourism Development

Jamaica is creating a new zone for high-end tourism stretching from Oracabessa to Port Antonio along the island’s northern coast. The “Riviera” will allow only low-density development.

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism, said: “As we are working to diversify our tourism sector, we could not be more pleased to create an area that provides a different type of experience for a high-end traveler. This new zone will be supported by additional non-stop air service flying directly into Ocho Rios, providing easier and more direct access to this beautiful region of our island.”

The zone will include the northern coastal towns of Oracabessa, Port Maria, St. Ann’s Bay, Runaway Bay, Discovery Bay and Ocho Rios. After the planned new highways are constructed, travelers entering the island through the Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios will have easier access not only to this zone, but also to any part of the island nation in approximately one hour. Redevelopment projects are also underway in Port Antonio.

Creating this zone will also encourage travelers to explore areas beyond Montego Bay and Negril, resulting in more tourism revenue being filtered to more people and businesses across the island. Extending the reach of tourism into additional communities is part of Jamaica’s “Blue Ocean Strategy” to build back better and support small and medium-sized tourism businesses and individual entrepreneurs, thereby promoting sustainability, inclusivity and resilience.

For more information, visit www.visitjamaica.com.

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