Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the development of new highways across Jamaica will reduce travel time for tourists and increase opportunities within the sector.

“What we’re going to have is a ring road around Jamaica that will be able to connect us, especially from the two airports. So, anyone who comes to Jamaica can now, in one hour or one and a half hours, find themselves in any one of the destinations across Jamaica that they want to go to,” Bartlett said.

He indicated that Jamaica will now have infrastructure for land and road communication, the likeness of which has never been seen before.

Bartlett also noted Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ announcement regarding further expanding the road network into Negril, thereby significantly reducing travel time.

He pointed out that the Montego Bay bypass, which is slated for construction, would enable persons to travel directly to Negril from Montego Bay without going through Lucea, Hopewell and Sandy Bay, noting that “that changes the game”.

“But it also opens up new corridors in the interior of the country for development and for touristic activity. So, this single act of creating better access across the country now opens up huge economic opportunities that will create jobs and prosperity for our Jamaican people,” the minister added.

Bartlett also highlighted gains from the recently opened May Pen to Williamsfield leg of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.

READ: May Pen to Williamsfield Highway to open today

He noted that “what that has done is to take off at least 15 minutes of driving time from Kingston to Mandeville”.

Bartlett further indicated the buildout of St Thomas as a brand-new tourism destination is being powered by the southeastern highway, which the Prime Minister will open soon.

READ: Big resort-style tourism project for St Thomas

– JIS