Development of Public Beaches, Workers Housing High on Tourism Agenda

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 19, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has underscored his commitment to ensuring increased access for Jamaicans to beaches and that “every parish must have at least one world-class public beach that serves both residents and visitors.”

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has an ongoing programme for the development of selected public beaches, and in his sectoral debate presentation on Tuesday (June 17), Minister Bartlett reiterated that this would continue as one component of the strategic vision for tourism growth in 2025/2026.

“Expanding beach access and quality will continue our work with the Urban Development Corporation to upgrade and develop more public beaches with clean, safe facilities and activities for families,” he pledged. For fiscal year 2025/26, comprehensive development is being planned for Priory Bathing and Fishing Beach, Success Beach in St. James and Paggee Beach in St. Mary, to include restaurants, bars, and commercial spaces to create economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Other features will include security posts, medical areas, and lifeguard facilities, wastewater infrastructure, parking, and facilities for differently abled persons and unique architectural features enhancing the beach experience while reflecting Jamaica's cultural aesthetic.

The Ministry of Tourism will also continue to pursue housing accommodation for tourism workers concurrent with hotel room expansion, cognizant of the need for the workforce to enjoy an acceptable level of comfort.

Through negotiations for more affordable housing, the Ministry has forged partnerships with the Ministry of Housing, the National Housing Trust and private housing developers for units in Rhyne Park Estate and Grange Pen, St. James, to be acquired by tourism workers. Minister Bartlett has also welcomed pledges by four major international hotel investor groups combined, including RCD Hotels, Bahia Principe and Princess Resorts to construct over 2,000 residential units for industry employees and their families.

The TEF is also playing its role in the ministry’s “commitment to mandating and incentivizing resort developers to include on-site or nearby staff accommodations” by allocating J$500 million for worker housing under the HOPE programme, Minister Bartlett outlined.

 “We will expand partnerships with the National Housing Trust (NHT), Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), and private sector developers to construct affordable housing solutions for workers in all major resort towns,” indicated Minister Bartlett, highlighting that “this will ensure that those who cater to our visitors can live with dignity near their places of employment.”

Meanwhile, in driving the tourism workforce, a: “Boosting Youth through Tourism Innovation and Training” initiative will expand the Tourism Innovation Incubator, while the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI) certification programmes continue to reach persons island-wide.

“As we pursue our vision of linking tourism to every Jamaican's success, human capital development remains the cornerstone of our strategy because we understand that no destination can succeed without skilled, professional, and passionate people delivering exceptional experiences to visitors,” related Minister Bartlett, with JCTI leading efforts in this critical area with programmes transforming how Jamaicans prepare for and advance in tourism careers.