Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller says a record $64-billion has been invested in the local tourism industry since her administration took office in January 2012.
The Prime Minister made the comments yesterday as she addressed guests at the opening of the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort in St. Ann.
According to the Prime Minister, tourism is the golden child in the local economy and brings in revenue of approximately USD$2-billion each year.
The Prime Minister thanked the principals of Palace Resorts, for their investment in Jamaica.
Speaking to an audience of tourism players, government officials and members of the Opposition, the Prime Minister said her administration has been a magnet for tourism investment since January 2012.
The Prime Minister says tourism has been a bedrock of the economy over the past four years.
She says the industry employs just under 200,000 Jamaicans.
The Prime Minister says there are 10-thousand-5-hundred hotel rooms to be introduced to the room stock in the near future, proving the point that Jamaica is viewed favourably as an investment destination.
And the Prime Minister is commending Palace Resorts for its USD$200-million or JMD$24-billion investment in the tourism industry, through the refurbishing and re-branding of the former Sunset Jamaica Grande Hotel.
The hotel was officially opened on Wednesday as a 5-star resort named Moon Palace Jamaica Grande.
It employs 1000 persons, 600 of whom worked at the former Sunset Jamaica Grande.
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