(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has hailed the strong backing of Spanish investors as a resounding vote of confidence in Jamaica’s tourism future.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Grand Palladium expansion in Hanover on Tuesday, Holness highlighted Spain’s critical role in driving the sector’s growth.
The €500-million investment by the Palladium Hotel Group forms part of a broader commitment by Spanish investors, who have collectively injected over €2 billion into Jamaica’s tourism industry.
“Businesses vote by making investments,” Holness declared, emphasising that these bold commitments signal confidence in Jamaica’s robust macroeconomic indicators and the government’s inclusive vision for tourism development.
The ambitious Grand Palladium project includes the construction of 950 new hotel rooms and 550 housing accommodations for staff.
Holness stressed that the development is not just about luxury resorts but also about ensuring all Jamaicans benefit from tourism. The project is expected to generate approximately 1,500 direct construction jobs and 5,600 jobs overall through direct and induced employment.
The prime minister urged tourism workers to express the same confidence in his administration as foreign investors have shown.
Addressing the Grand Palladium staff, he shifted the focus to the local workforce.
“I want you to vote as well,” he urged. “We want you to vote for the government because we are doing the right thing for you.”
Holness reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive tourism development, criticising past practices where luxury projects were isolated from local communities, creating a “two-Jamaica” scenario. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett echoed Holness’ sentiments, crediting a forward-looking policy framework for enabling this wave of investment.
“We have built policies that empower sustainable and inclusive growth,” Bartlett stated, emphasising that the focus is not just on infrastructure but also on people.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to human capital development through initiatives like the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation.
“We have certified 25,000 industry workers and are raising standards with certifications from the American Hotel and Lodging Institute and the American Culinary Foundation,” Bartlett noted.
Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism, Senator Janice Allen, described the event as a “significant moment” for Jamaica’s tourism sector. She lauded the Palladium Group’s expansion as a demonstration of investor confidence in the nation’s economic strength.
“Every member of our tourism community, from workers to transport operators, plays a vital role in shaping Jamaica’s reputation as a world-class destination,” Allen said, stressing that investment must go hand in hand with a commitment to the people.
She commended the Palladium Group for prioritising worker well-being through staff housing, noting that a valued workforce will elevate the industry.
Highlighting the importance of sustainability, she added, “Let us build a tourism sector where investors feel secure, workers feel empowered, and communities experience positive ripple effects. This is what true partnership looks like – investment that transcends profit to prioritise progress and purpose.”
