jamaica hotel development
The new Sugarcane Bay project in Jamaica.
News

New $1 Billion Karisma Hotel Project Breaks Ground in Jamaica

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - March 2, 2020 - 5:52 pm

A massive new destination hotel complex by Karisma Hotels and Resorts has officially broken ground in Jamaica. 

The estimated $1 billion USD multi-hotel Sugarcane Bay Jamaica project is set on 226 acres in Llandovery in Jamaica’s “garden parish” of St Ann. 

The project will have approximately 4,700 hotel rooms, according to Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony this week. 

It’s a significant step for Jamaica and its growing pipeline of new hotels, one that is among the largest in the wider Caribbean region according to hotel benchmarking firm STR. 

jamaica hotel karisma
From left: Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Karisma, Armando Chomat;  Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett; Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis.

“Significant investments have been made in the industry and these investments have been able to generate significant returns,” said Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Investors know that investing in Jamaica is a profitable business.”

Bartlett said the new project was a “new chapter” in the tourism identity of St Ann. 

It also could create as many as 10,000 jobs, according to Jamaican officials.

“We are very excited about the partnership and I want to say to you that this is a very important moment that you are showing confidence in destination Jamaica,” Bartlett told the Karisma team. “It’s an important moment too, when you are saying to the world, given the current situation that we are facing, tourism is still the energizer of economic activities globally.”

jamaica hotel karisma
St Ann is known as the “garden parish” of Jamaica.

The massive new project is part of Jamaica’s stated plan to add some 15,000 new hotel rooms to the destination’s stock over the next three to five years, according to Bartlett. 

Karisma is in the midst of its own growth push, with plans to debut a major new Caribbean resort in Cancun later this month in partnership with Margaritaville

Armando Chomat, the top sales officer at Karisma, said the hotel would become a “new landmark for luxury travel in Jamaica.”

“The dream of Sugarcane Bay is becoming a reality,” he said. 

For more, visit Karisma

— CJ

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


Royal Caribbean’s New Cruise Ship Has a Rooftop Bar, a Waterpark and the Largest Pool at Sea

star of the seas

You step into a glass dome floating high above the ocean. To your right, divers plunge from platforms. Above, aerialists twist through light. Somewhere behind you, a DJ is spinning beside a suspended infinity pool. This isn’t a dream — […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


Related Posts best adults-only saint lucia resorts

Planning a Couples Trip? These Are the 17 Best Adults-Only Resorts in St. Lucia

St. Lucia is one of the most romantic destinations in the Caribbean — a lush island of dramatic landscapes, emerald peaks, and golden beaches. It’s a haven for couples looking to unwind, reconnect, or celebrate something special, whether it’s a […]


The CHTA IS Bringing CHIEF and Taste of the Caribbean to Barbados

best barbados resorts

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has officially announced the return of two of the region’s most anticipated hospitality events: the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean. Both events will take place from November 16–18, […]


This All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacation Is the Ultimate Solo Travel Experience

all-inclusive caribbean vacation solo

You arrive alone, but you’re not on your own. That’s the quiet magic of this four-night all-inclusive escape designed specifically for solo travelers — a curated experience at a breezy, beachfront Caribbean resort that knows what it means to travel […]