ST JAMES, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says Jamaica must reposition itself from being an exporter of talent to becoming a destination that attracts and retains skilled workers if the country is to achieve sustained economic growth.

Addressing the 25th anniversary gala of Riu Hotels & Resorts in Montego Bay on Thursday night, Holness argued that the global competition for talent has become one of the defining challenges of the modern era, surpassing even the race for investment and natural resources.

“Countries are competing for visitors…Countries are competing for investments. They are competing for businesses. But you know what else they are competing for? They are competing for talent. That, in fact, is the biggest competition,” Holness told guests.

The prime minister noted that while Jamaica has historically supplied skilled workers to overseas markets, the country must now seek to attract talent from abroad while creating opportunities that encourage Jamaicans to remain at home.

“Jamaica must position itself, not only as a net exporter of talent, which we have been for almost 200 years, but we need to now position ourselves to be receivers of talent into our economy, if our economy is to grow and expand,” he said.

Holness stressed that migration, tourism and foreign direct investment are often discussed separately, but are ultimately influenced by the same factors that determine whether people choose one country over another.

“A tourist chooses where to spend a vacation. An investor chooses where to place capital. A business chooses where to establish operations. A skilled worker chooses where to build a career. A family chooses where to build a future,” he said, adding that decisions about where to live, work and invest are increasingly shaped by issues such as safety, governance, efficiency, connectivity and economic opportunity.

“The countries that succeed are those countries that become a destination of choice,” the prime minister said, pointing to countries such as Singapore, Dubai and Switzerland as examples of nations that have successfully built environments that attract investment, skilled workers and long-term economic activity.

Holness argued that Jamaica’s tourism industry can play a critical role in that effort by serving as an entry point for deeper engagement with the country.

“Tourism is not simply an industry. It is oftentimes the first introduction to a country. It shapes perceptions. It builds confidence. It showcases a nation’s potential. Tourism is the gateway to investment-led development,” he said.

He said successful tourism investments help create a cycle in which visitors become familiar with Jamaica, confidence grows, investment follows and new opportunities emerge that can retain local talent while attracting workers from elsewhere.

“Opportunity retains and attracts talent,” Holness said. “So instead of our Jamaicans leaving to go elsewhere to work, they stay here and contribute to our economy. But they also attract people to come in and work. It creates diversity. It helps to improve our own talent, expand our services.”

The prime minister said the Government’s investments in infrastructure, public safety, housing, public services and human capital are all aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s appeal as a place where people want to live and work.

“They are all part of a single national mission to make Jamaica a place of choice, a place where people want to visit, a place where businesses want to invest, a place where talented people want to work, a place where families want to live, a place where future generations can thrive,” he said.

Holness made the remarks while commending Riu Hotels & Resorts for its 25-year partnership with Jamaica, describing the Spanish hotel chain’s continued investment in the island as a vote of confidence in the country’s future.

“In many respects, Riu’s 25 years in Jamaica demonstrates that we are on that path. The confidence that Riu showed in Jamaica 25 years ago has been rewarded. And the confidence that Jamaica has placed in Riu has also been rewarded,” the prime minister said.

“To the Riu family and the entire Riu team, thank you for your partnership, for your investment and your belief in Jamaica. Congratulations on 25 years of outstanding contribution to the Jamaican tourism products,” he added.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness shares a moment with staff members of Riu Hotels & Resorts at the hotel’s 25th anniversary gala in Montego Bay on Thursday night.