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Contracts signed for the development of beaches in St. Thomas and St. Mary

The contracts, to upgrade Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas at a cost of approximately $30.5 million and Marking Stone Beach in St Mary for some $28.1 million, were signed at the offices of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – St. Thomas and St. Mary are the parishes which are next in line to benefit under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) National Beach Development Programme, following the signing of two contracts worth some $58 million.

In his remarks at the contract signing Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said the programme is a concrete demonstration of how the tourism industry can have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary Jamaicans.

“This underscores once again that tourism is not an enclave sector that benefits only large investors, resort and attraction owners and the workers in the industry but should and must have a direct and positive impact on the lives of citizens across Jamaica,” stated Minister McNeill.


Managing Director of Alcar Construction & Haulage Co. Ltd, Junior Leslie (second right) outlines construction plans for the development of Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas and Marking Stone in St Mary under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s National Beach Development Programme to (from left) TPDCo’s Company Secretary, Rose-Marie Carty  Member of Parliament for South East St. Mary, Dr. Winston Green,  Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Clyde Harrison, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Dennis Hickey and Managing Director of M.A.E. Construction Company, Michael Evans.  This follows the contract signing at the New Kingston Offices of TPDCo on January 20, 2016.


Boston Beach in Portland was recently upgraded under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) National Beach Development Programme at a cost of approximately $26.3 million.

The contracts, to upgrade Lyssons Beach in St. Thomas at a cost of approximately $30.5 million and Marking Stone Beach in St Mary for some $28.1 million, were signed at the offices of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). The projects will be executed by M.A.E. Construction Company and Alcar Construction & Haulage Co. Ltd respectively and will be managed by TPDCo.

The beach development programme is being implemented across the island in partnership with the respective parish councils, Urban Development Corporation (UDC), Social Development Commission (SDC) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

The upgraded facilities will have children’s play areas, seating with tables, picnic areas, gazebos, restrooms, changing room facilities, adequate parking, lifeguard towers, and utilities such as water and electricity.

The Lyssons and Marking Stone beaches are among 15 beaches already identified under the $250 million TEF initiative. Over the past two weeks the first two upgraded beaches, Burwood Beach in Trelawny and Boston Beach in Portland, were handed over for public use.

Minister McNeill expressed that the intention is to upgrade some 30 public beaches, with a minimum of two beaches in each parish. As such, more beaches will be pinpointed in the future for inclusion under the programme.

“This is an ongoing programme and so the Ministry is continuing to work with TPDCo and NEPA to identify and secure leases for additional beaches. As always, I encourage the communities that will have the benefit of first class beaches to be proud of them and to ensure that they are kept in tip top condition,” said Dr. McNeill.

Work at the Lyssons and Marking Stone beaches is set to be completed within the next four months.

Photo Caption: Burwood Beach in Trelawny was recently upgraded under the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) National Beach Development Programme at a cost of approximately $28 million.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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