Hanover is rapidly emerging as Jamaica’s top tourism parish, driven by a series of major developments and strategic investments, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett announced on Thursday.
Speaking at the handover ceremony for the newly rehabilitated Lord’s Multipurpose Court in Lucea, Minister Bartlett outlined ambitious projects that are transforming the parish’s tourism landscape.
“You are going to have, among other things, the first casino tourism facility in the country right here in your parish, in Green Island. In short order, you will have 2,000 rooms at Green Island with just one hotel. Then we are going to build the Viva Wyndham for another 1,000 rooms at Rhodes Hall, and Palladium just outside of Lucea is now expanding with 998 more luxury rooms,” he said.
Bartlett also highlighted Hanover’s pioneering efforts in tourism worker housing. “Hanover has led the way because you have the first hotel with rooms for the workers of the tourism industry – 500 rooms available in the Princess facility, and 600 houses are going to be built now by Palladium for the workers of the tourism industry,” he stated.
Regarding cruise tourism, the minister revealed that Hanover is under consideration for future port development. “Although we don’t have a cruise port yet in Lucea, Jamaica Vacations Limited (JamVac) Executive Director Joy Roberts is part of the team looking at how we can increase the number of ports of call across Jamaica. Very soon, Jamaica could be an itinerary for a cruise ship from Lucea to Negril, Black River, Port Royal, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Falmouth, and back to Montego Bay,” he shared.
Minister Bartlett also praised the advocacy of Hanover Western Member of Parliament Tamika Davis, citing her active involvement in the parish’s tourism expansion, particularly with the Palladium and Viva Wyndham projects.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive tourism growth. “The future of tourism in Jamaica must include every parish, every town, and every citizen, not just those in the resort belts but those communities that are rich with character, culture, and commitment… this is transformation,” Bartlett declared.
The Lord’s Multipurpose Court rehabilitation was carried out by the Ministry through the Spruce Up Jamaica initiative, led by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). The programme focuses on community-based tourism enhancements designed to uplift and beautify towns and villages across the island.
