Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett signalled the start of what he termed "a new perspective in tourism development in Jamaica," following the ground-breaking ceremony for the UNICO Montego Bay 451-room adults-only all-inclusive resort being built by RCD Hotels.
What makes the resort development stand out is the fact that it will be complemented by the construction of 1,000 houses for hotel workers in partnership with the Housing Agency of Jamaica.
While hotel development is booming on the island, a lack of affordable housing for workers is an obstacle.
The UNICO development was welcomed by both Bartlett and Prime Minister Andrew Holness, as an investment not only in tourism but in the people of Jamaica.
"I want to welcome the RCD group to Jamaica," said Holness. "We are very happy to have you as a development partner and we know that it is not just an investment in our sun, sea, and sand. You're also going to be investing in our society."
The UNICO Montego Bay will be one of three properties to be built on the site. Ground will be broken soon for a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
UNICO Montego Bay will be just the second luxury resort under the brand that got off to a successful start at UNICO Hotel Riviera Maya. RCD Hotels says the choice of location met the desire of the family-owned hotel chain "to expand the brand to a destination in the Caribbean known for its rich culture and stunning beaches."
The development of the UNICO Montego Bay resort will provide over 1,000 construction jobs and 600 serving the rooms in operation. In the long-term however, the RCD group's investment project could expand to 2,000 rooms, at which time there will be over 4,000 construction jobs and 5,000 during operation.
Minister Bartlett said the social development piece of the project will be the new norm: "All subsequent discussions with investors coming into Jamaica for tourism will take into account the impact on the environment; the impact of the social development within the area and the governance of the area."
He added: "We in Jamaica are not just concerned about building tourism as we understand it; we want to build to another dimension; we want to build communities with tourism."
He said the community in which the hotel is being built "is part of the development process that is going to show Jamaica what the new tourism post-COVID is going to be like."
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