The Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica is to undergo a US$200m renovation.
Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said the investment was part of the government’s intention to make the facility ‘fit for purpose’ to host major meetings and conventions, as well as becoming more profitable. The Government of Jamaica Information Service reported the minister made the announcement in an address to the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Royal Decameron Hotel on 28 July.
The goal is to complete work in time to enable the centre to host the UN World Tourism Organisation’s global conference, scheduled for 27-29 November.
The centre, in St James, had recorded millions of dollars in losses over recent years, although the minister said there had been a turnaround over the past nine months with revenues rising 65 per cent and a US$2m loss transformed into J$40m (US$313,000) profit.
The Montego Bay Convention Centre opened its doors in 2011 as a venue for conventions, trade shows, banquets and conferences. It was constructed by the Government of Jamaica in conjunction with the Chinese Development Bank.
The facility was previously owned by the Urban Development Corporation before being transferred to the Ministries of Tourism, and Finance and the Public Service.
