The developers of The Palmyra Resort & Spa are set to construct the island's first 1,000 room casino hotel.
Casino Gambling to Jamaica
Following a bold move to allow casino gambling by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his Government, tourists visiting the island will soon be able to enjoy Las Vegas style casino gambling on the north coast of Jamaica. Basing the decision on last year's campaign promise to create new jobs and address the increased need for ‘after-dark' attractions on the island, the Prime Minister announced in his April 22 Budget Debate that the Government has green-lighted two major resort casino developments set to catapult the island into the "big leagues" in a boost that can only be a "winning hand" for Jamaica.
The decision to allow full-blown casino gambling is a powerful move by the new Government to firmly place Jamaica on the map as a true five-star destination, putting the focus back on tourism, the island's most important industry. The bold move will give the island yet another competitive edge on the global tourism scene, adding the allure of premier casino gambling to the island's stunning beaches, beautiful interior, welcoming people and laid back lifestyle. What's more, with over 300 international flights per week into the brand new Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, including 60 flights from non-stop markets, Jamaica is more accessible to visitors that any other Caribbean island.
Prime Minister Golding said the decision to permit the licensing of casinos, described in his own words as "a lightning rod of controversy for a long time", came after a review of a 2003 study which concluded that casino gaming would be viable for Jamaica. Pointing to the many slot machines, a principal feature of casinos the world over, which are already present in Jamaica, Golding argued that the addition of table games would help attract major investments and high rollers to the island's shores. Said Mr. Golding; "It is our intention to dedicate the revenues from casino operations to a special fund to finance capital development in health, education and security."
Mr. Golding explained that applications for casino licences will only be considered if certain conditions are met. To be considered, projects must commit to a minimum investment of US$1.5 billion and the construction of no less than 1,000 rooms. Also, the casino component should not be more than 20 per cent of the total project. Furthermore, the PM stressed that only companies with proven integrity and experience in the casino industry will be permitted to operate in Jamaica. Operators will be subject to the approval of the Government after appropriate due diligence including fit and proper tests and evaluation of track record.
In his budget address, Prime Minister Golding revealed that the Government already has approved two casino licences; one to the developers of The Palmyra Resort & Spa for the development of "Celebration Jamaica" and a second to the Tavistock Group for the "Harmony Cove" project.
The developers of The Palmyra Resort & Spa are set to construct the island's first 1,000 room casino hotel, an integral part of a US$1.8B "Celebration Jamaica" master plan to be rolled out on 65 acres of oceanfront land adjacent to the developer's luxury real estate development in Rose Hall, St. James. The resort & casino will enjoy the extraordinary feature of being less than a 15 minute drive from the Montego Bay International Airport on a new 4 lane highway, tempting visitors with premier attractions that include a water and entertainment complex, a dolphin bay marine attraction; a water amphitheater, a world class marina, a variety of restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment and shopping experiences throughout. A total of 2,000 rooms are planned throughout the development, making it the islands largest private investment. "Celebration Jamaica" will also be connected, by way of a pedestrian overpass spanning across the freeway, to a 2,500 person capacity Convention Center that the government of Jamaica has committed to building in Rose Hall.
The "Harmony Cove" project in the parish of Trelawny, a private/public partnership between Tavistock Group and the Jamaican government, is on track for planned construction to start in 2010. One of the largest and most ambitious projects undertaken in Jamaica, the project is estimated to come in at around US$5B with a number of hotels on the property housing over 8,000 rooms. The resort community will also contain full-service casinos, championship golf courses, a tennis & racquet center, an equestrian center, a water and adventure park, conference facilities, retail shops, restaurants, and local attractions showcasing the best of Jamaica.
Commented Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett; "Casino gambling will be a critical component in the growing luxury market as we further diversify our entertainment experiences to attract the lucrative high-end market. The two mega resorts "Celebration Jamaica" and "Harmony Cove" will add over 10,000 new luxury rooms to our accommodation stock and both properties are expected to employ approximately 25,000 workers."
