JHTA - Montego Bay Chapter

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter proudly salutes and celebrates our esteemed butlers on International Butler’s Day.

From Jamaica’s luxury resorts to world-class villas, our butlers continue to elevate service excellence through personalized hospitality, professionalism, warmth, and authentic Jamaican charm. Their dedication plays a vital role in shaping unforgettable guest experiences and strengthening Destination Jamaica’s reputation as a leading luxury tourism destination.

Today, we honour the passion, precision, and commitment of the men and women who represent the very best of Jamaican hospitality.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter extends warm birthday wishes to our Area Chairman, Kerry Ann Quallo Casserly.

Wishing you a day filled with joy, success, and blessings. Happy Birthday!

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter joined the nation in observing Labour Day 2026 through two impactful community projects aimed at uplifting and beautifying communities within Montego Bay. These include:- a clean-up initiative at the SOS Children’s Village and support for the St. James Municipal Corporation at the Rose Heights Community Centre through landscaping and painting activities.

Thank you to all chapter members who participated in the Labour Day 2026 activities and carried out community projects across various communities in Montego Bay.

A special thank you is also extended to Half Moon, SNL Jamaica Tours, Jamaica Tours, and SeaGarden Beach Resort for their continued support and sponsorship of the Chapter’s adopted community projects. Your partnership and commitment to community development continue to make a meaningful impact across Montego Bay.

Your dedication, teamwork, and commitment to community development continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many while strengthening the spirit of volunteerism and nation building.

Jamaica’s tourism capital is poised to benefit from stronger digital resilience and enhanced cybersecurity following the official launch of Liberty Business Jamaica at the White Witch, Rose Hall in Montego Bay on Tuesday, May 20.

The launch marked a major investment in western Jamaica’s digital future, with telecommunications provider Liberty Business announcing plans to establish its headquarters in Montego Bay.

Representatives from the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter were among stakeholders and business leaders in attendance at the launch, underscoring the growing importance of technology, connectivity, and cybersecurity within Jamaica’s tourism industry.

The investment is expected to significantly benefit hotels, attractions, tourism operators, and hospitality businesses by improving enterprise connectivity, cloud services, managed IT support, and cybersecurity solutions across the region.

Jamaica’s tourism sector has become increasingly digital by relying heavily on online bookings, cashless transactions, guest data systems, remote operations, cybersecurity and reliable digital infrastructure which are essential to maintaining visitor confidence and protecting business operations.

In Photo📷: From Left: Nadine Spence, Managing Director of Sixt Rent A Car and 4th VP of the JHTA; Stephen Price, Vice-President and General Manager of FLOW and Liberty Business Jamaica; Kerry Ann Quallo Casserly, Regional Commerial Director for Royalton Resorts and 2nd VP for JHTA.

Jamaica continues to strengthen its position as a leading global tourism destination following major announcements made by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett during the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 held in Antigua and Barbuda from May 12–15, 2026.

The Ministry announced a transformative US$5 billion tourism investment pipeline expected to deliver between 15,000–20,000 new hotel rooms over the next decade, alongside expanded international airlift and new tourism infrastructure developments.

New direct flights from Porter Airlines, expanded service from Virgin Atlantic and Wingo, and increased market growth from Latin America and Asia continue to drive Jamaica’s tourism momentum.

Jamaica also revealed plans to host a Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston in February 2027, reinforcing the island’s leadership in regional tourism development and connectivity.

With over one million visitors and approximately US$956 million in tourism earnings recorded in the first quarter of 2026, Jamaica continues to showcase resilience, innovation, and global appeal.

As Jamaica’s tourism industry continues to expand with the development of mega hotel projects and increased investments in hospitality infrastructure, the demand for housing solutions for tourism workers is becoming increasingly critical. REMAX Elite Realty is positioning itself as a strategic partner in supporting the housing needs of the tourism workforce in Montego Bay and surrounding communities. Key Developments currently available include:- Hummingbird Estates, Dream 36, Coral Springs, Bogue Village, Rhyne Park and Rosevale.

With several large-scale hotel developments transforming the tourism landscape, Montego Bay continues to attract workers from across Jamaica seeking employment opportunities in hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and other tourism-linked sectors. This migration is creating increased demand for accessible, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions for employees and their families.

REMAX Elite Realty, recognized for its professionalism, market expertise, and client-focused approach, believes that housing development must remain an important part of Jamaica’s tourism growth strategy. The company notes that as the tourism sector evolves, greater collaboration between the hospitality and real estate industries will be essential in creating communities that support workforce stability and long-term economic growth.

REMAX Elite Realty continues to strengthen relationships within the tourism community by providing guidance and tailored real estate solutions for hospitality professionals, investors, and business operators.

In Photo📷:This is 22 Freeport. Units are currently available.

Virtual Reality Jamaica Limited is redefining hotel entertainment through its innovative attraction, Virtual Reality Planet, located at the Ocean Coral Spring and Ocean Eden Bay Resorts in Trelawny.

The innovative attraction represents a new era of hotel entertainment, blending advanced virtual reality technology with family-friendly experiences, competitive gaming, and social interaction to create high-impact leisure offerings for resort guests.

Designed to complement the luxury vacation experience, Virtual Reality Planet offers visitors an opportunity to engage in interactive adventures, thrilling simulations, and multiplayer attractions that appeal to families, couples, groups, and gaming enthusiasts alike.

The integration of advanced technology into the resort environment reflects the growing demand for experiential tourism, where guests seek more engaging and memorable vacation experiences.

Among the featured experiences are the UFO VR (5-Seater) for shared family adventures, VR 360 (2-Seater) for immersive thrill rides, and VR Super Agent, a competitive multiplayer gaming attraction.

As the tourism industry evolves, immersive attractions such as Virtual Reality Planet continue to position Jamaica as a modern destination capable of delivering world-class entertainment experiences alongside luxury hospitality.

Members of the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter turned out in strong support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Tourism Linkages Network Speed Networking Event held on May 7 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, reinforcing the tourism sector’s commitment to Jamaica’s growing “Local First” movement.

The event brought together hotel operators, local manufacturers, suppliers, artisans, attraction owners and tourism stakeholders for strategic business-to-business meetings aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s tourism supply chain and creating greater economic opportunities for local businesses.

JHTA Montego Bay Chapter members actively participated in the networking sessions, engaging directly with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking opportunities to provide goods and services to Jamaica’s hospitality sector.

The event also reflected the Government’s strategic shift toward a “Local First” approach in tourism development, an initiative focused on ensuring Jamaicans benefit more directly from the industry through stronger local supply chains, increased local retention of tourism revenue, and expanded opportunities for Jamaican entrepreneurs and manufacturers.

Members of the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter welcomed the initiative and underscored the importance of supporting local businesses as the industry continues to evolve. The participation of the hotel sector demonstrated a clear commitment to sourcing locally wherever possible and building long-term relationships with Jamaican suppliers capable of meeting the needs of the tourism industry.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter continues to support communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa through its ongoing relief and outreach initiative.

Following the hurricane’s passage on October 28, 2026, JHTA Montego Bay Chapter Outreach Committee Chair, Maralyn Monteith, connected with her daughter, Danielle Monteith, who launched a fundraising and charity drive in Florida to assist children and families affected across Jamaica.

The initiative received strong support which resulted in large shipments of clothing, shoes, household items, appliances, toys, books, medical supplies and other essential care items.

Donations are being distributed to SOS Children’s Village, Lethe Christian Academy School for the Deaf, Carthagena Basic School, Barrett Town Care Home for the Elderly and Blossom Gardens Children’s Home, among other beneficiaries.

Monteith noted that the initiative reflects the tourism sector’s continued commitment to supporting vulnerable communities during times of need.

“The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter remains committed to bringing meaningful support and hope to communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa,” she said.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter extends gratitude to Danielle Monteith and all those who whobsupported the fundraising drive in Florida.