Senator Allen calls for shift in Jamaica’s tourism model to boost local earnings
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 9:50 PMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Opposition spokesperson for tourism, Senator Janice Allen, is advocating for a shift in Jamaica’s tourism model to ensure the country retains at least 60 cents of every US dollar earned in the sector. She believes this change would create greater opportunities for Jamaicans to benefit from tourism revenues.
While expressing support for the all-inclusive hotel model, Allen suggests integrating more European Plan (EP) concepts to diversify the industry and increase local economic benefits. She argues that this shift would open doors for local businesses and allow more Jamaicans to feel the direct impact of tourism earnings.
“When we needed to expand our room stock, we leaned heavily into the all-inclusive model. However, we must now assess how much more of this type of investment we should take on,” said Allen during a recent town hall meeting in Mt Salem, St James.
Allen recalled how, in the early years of Jamaica’s tourism industry, Montego Bay residents, including her grandmother, benefited from EP accommodations, which allowed visitors to spend directly in local communities.
“Back then, people understood what ‘tourism season’ meant because business owners and workers felt the direct impact,” she said.
She emphasised that while all-inclusive resorts have played a crucial role in Jamaica’s tourism growth, it is time to reassess the balance and encourage models that extend the reach of tourism dollars.
Currently, Jamaica retains only 40 cents of every tourism dollar due to its high import bill for goods and services. Allen believes boosting retention to 60 cents per dollar would indicate that more Jamaicans are benefiting from the industry.
Her call aligns with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett’s ongoing push to reduce import dependency and invest in local production, ensuring more tourism revenue stays within Jamaica.
“If we significantly reduce the import bill, we can push our retention from 40 cents to 50 or 60 cents per dollar,” Bartlett previously stated.
Allen’s proposal underscores a growing conversation about reshaping Jamaica’s tourism model to foster greater economic inclusivity and sustainability.