Hailing the Hotel Four Seasons as a standard-bearer for small properties in Kingston, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said the 60th anniversary of the landmark hotel comes at a time when the country is seeing a renaissance in tourism development in its capital, Kingston.

“Small hotels remain central to the experience of the destination and continue to play a pivotal role in attracting a particular demographic into our space,” said Minister Bartlett, speaking at a cocktail reception to mark the New Kingston hotel’s anniversary last Friday. “We recognise, therefore, the pioneering role of Hotel Four Seasons in building out that cadre of small hotels, and particularly creating Kingston as that space that now is becoming a very popular and desired destination.”

Of Jamaica’s more than 200 hotels currently in operation, some 164 are small and medium-sized properties with 200 rooms or less. These hotels account for approximately one third of Jamaica’s current room stock.

Allaying any concerns of the overtourism said to be happening in some European cities, Bartlett reasoned that tourism would not occur at the expense of the people of the country.

“We have to make sure we build the product so that we remain not only a discerning destination, but a distinctive destination, a desirable destination, and one in which people have a livable and moveable space,” he said.

Bartlett praised the hotel’s founders, German-born sisters Christa Lundh and the late Helga Stoeckert, for their commitment to local farmers and suppliers, and in so doing helping to earn US dollars for the country.

“We are committed to making sure that the benefits of tourism accrue to the people of the destination, because tourism has that capacity to become like a plantation where the benefits of tourism are repatriated with the flights that come in with the visitors,” the minister said.

“We are determined to build through our linkages the absorptive capacity within our economy to make sure that the supplies that the visitor requires are sourced locally, created locally and become the creative output of the people of Jamaica,” he continued.

Noting the growth of Hotel Four Seasons from four rooms to 114, Bartlett praised the management and staff for its excellent service to the tourism sector as well as the local community.

The anniversary function was attended by family, friends, suppliers, representatives of corporate Jamaica and tourism stakeholders, including former Governor General of Jamaica Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall; Daniela and Mike Bauer, directors of Hotel Four Seasons; Rev Dr Robert Thompson, Anglican suffragan of Kingston; and Camille Needham, executive director of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.