Prime Minister Andrew Holness (3rd R) officially breaks ground of the new Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny. Joining in the moment are Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (3rd L) and (L-R) Gustavo Arroyo, Director of Projects H10 Hotels, Shahine Robinson, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Anotonio Hernandez, Director of International Division, H10 Hotels, Daryl Vaz, Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness has welcomed the new US$250 million ($34 billion) investment from Spanish Hotel chain, H10, which officially broke ground today in Coral Spring, Trelawny.

Construction is already underway by the H10 Hotel chain to construct 1000 new rooms.

The hotel, which is expected to complete 500 rooms by the end of the year, will be called Ocean Coral Spring, the Ministry of Tourism reported.

In welcoming the new development, Holness also reiterated that new tourism investments in the country must include Jamaicans to ensure inclusive growth in the sector. “Growth is all about value creation. Yes we could be receiving new investments and bringing in new capital but we must ensure that the value that is being created in the local economy. This means supplying the sector with local products.

“So what contributes towards growth is when the farmer can get their products into the hotels to be sold. What we want is for every single Jamaican to feel that they are included in the growth and development of this industry,” he continued.

For his part, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, said: “This beginning of H10 in Jamaica promises to be an exciting and financially enabling relationship because it is going to enable a large number of workers to generate income and this defines what tourism is all about. It is about inclusive growth, by creating jobs, enabling consumption and enabling revenue. Additionally I am happy that the advent of H10 will bring with it a number of other investment properties over the next few months.”

Director of International Division for H10 Hotels, Antonio Hernandez said the construction of Ocean Coral Spring is a “significant opportunity to start a long term success story in this beautiful and exciting country”.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM_welcomes_new_H10_Spanish_investment