Jinping, Golding

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaica hopes to expand its potential into the US$150 billion meetings-and-incen-tives market with the construction of a new multimillion-dollar convention centre at Rose Hall in Montego Bay, St James.

The 215,278-square foot facility will house approximately 7,000 people, depending on usage type and space configuration.

The total space will consist of an exhibition area, divided into two halls, banquet space, divisible into three sections, and meeting space comprising eight rooms on 35 acres of land near the Rose Hall Great House.

Groundbreaking

The state-of-the-art facility, which has been on the books for the last 10 years, will come closer to reality this Saturday when Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Vice-President Xi Jinping of China break ground, officially declaring the site ready.

The Chinese are funding the US$45.2-million project, which was negotiated by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson in 2007.

Patterson had brokered a 30-year agreement with that government and the EXIM Bank.

"Jamaica will be able to go after a level of business we have never been able to capture," predicted Marcia Bullock, regional director, groups and convention, at the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Marketing tool

Bullock, who has worked in this area for more than 20 years, said the facilities would play the role of an additional marketing tool for the country.

She is forecasting that 'Destination Jamaica' will be a force to be reckoned with when the facility is completed in approximately 20 months.

A number of groups have discounted Jamaica over the years, because the largest group any one property can accommodate ranges between 1,500 and 2,000. In 2005, the country was forced to rent a 50,000-square foot tent to house the premier marketing event, Caribbean Marketplace, as a result, attracting a cost of US$1.7 million.

Jamaica is again bidding for the 2011 Caribbean Marketplace event, which takes place in Puerto Rico next year.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com