KINGSTON, Jamaica— Opposition Senator Janice Allen, Shadow Minister for Tourism, has paid tribute to Glen Bloomfield, a hotelier and founding member of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA), who passed away last week.

Bloomfield was the owner of Medallion Hall Hotel in St Andrew.

In a release from the People’s National Party (PNP), Senator Allen remarked that Bloomfield’s recent passing marks the end of an era for the tourism industry and the many lives he impacted through his work.

She lauded Bloomfield for his instrumental role in shaping Jamaica’s tourism landscape.

“As a visionary and founding member of JUTA, he played a pivotal role in establishing a professional and organised transportation sector, ensuring that both Jamaican travellers and international visitors experienced safe, reliable, and high-quality service,” Senator Allen said in the release.

“His contributions came at a time when, under the People’s National Party (PNP) Administration of the 1970s, tourism infrastructure was rapidly expanding, creating what has now become a cornerstone of Jamaica’s tourism industry,” she added.

Senator Allen noted that as a hotel owner and operator, Bloomfield demonstrated his commitment to the tourism sector beyond transportation. She underscored that Bloomfield’s Medallion Hall in Kingston became a well-regarded institution, known for its warm hospitality and dedication to quality, which characterised his contributions to tourism.

“Mr Bloomfield was a Jamaican giant, a man whose vision and hard work transformed our tourism industry. His life’s work set a standard of excellence that helped shape and elevate the Jamaican tourism experience as we know it today,” Senator Allen said.

“His legacy lives on in the many ways he has touched our industry and community, and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and the entire JUTA family. Today, we celebrate the remarkable life of a true pioneer whose work will continue to inspire generations in Jamaica’s tourism sector.”

The release added that “Bloomfield’s contributions will be remembered as the bedrock upon which modern Jamaican tourism continues to flourish, and his dedication serves as an example for all who follow in his footsteps. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, vision, and commitment that will resonate within the tourism industry for years to come.”