Montego Bay is known for its all inclusives, but Jamaica’s tourism minister has another plan for the heart of the coastal city.

Minister Ed Bartlett is calling for more local investments in EP, or European plan hotels on the “Hip Strip,” the popular thoroughfare in Montego Bay.

EP hotels are those whose quoted rates include only lodging, as opposed to all inclusives, which include meals and beverages in their rates.

“I want to encourage more EP products on this strip…and do not think only of building big hotels,” the Minister said during a meeting with local business leaders earlier this month.

“Currently, Montego Bay represents some 35 per cent of the national tourism product. So far this year we have earned about US$1.86 billion, with Montego Bay contributing over US$700 million of that,” he said. “So, that’s significant and we can’t afford to play games with that.”

— Caribbean Journal staff