JHTA - Montego Bay Chapter

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31/10/2026

The Jamaica Gastronomy Masterclass Series was recently held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on October 29, bringing together culinary professionals and tourism stakeholders to explore opportunities to strengthen Jamaica's culinary offerings and elevate the overall guest experience.

Hosted by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), in partnership with the Convention Centre's Gastronomy Academy, the programme is designed to support resorts, hotels, restaurants and other tourism stakeholders in enhancing food and beverage standards through culinary innovation, professional development and the application of contemporary culinary techniques.

The initiative seeks to equip local chefs and hospitality professionals with the skills, creativity and expertise needed to deliver distinctive dining experiences that showcase the best of Jamaican cuisine while meeting the evolving expectations of today's travellers.

The programme also supports the continued development of local culinary talent and reinforces the importance of gastronomy in strengthening linkages between tourism, agriculture and other productive sectors of the Jamaican economy.

25/10/2026

Members of the the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter, (Sea Gardens, Iberostar, SIXT, Hospiten, Oxford Trading, Hyatt, Royalton Resorts, Camko Manufacturing, REMAX and SNL Jamaican Tours) just to name a few, demonstrated strong support for the 17th staging of the award-winning Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk/Wheelchair on Sunday morning at Harmony Beach Park.

Despite the weather reports, hundreds of participants turned out to support the worthy cause, demonstrating the power of community spirit and collective action in promoting breast cancer awareness.

Award-winning gospel artiste Kevin Downswell took centre stage, uplifting and entertaining participants with an inspiring musical presentation that added to the morning’s atmosphere.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter congratulates Nadine Spence and the Kiwanis Club of Providence for another successful staging of this important community outreach initiative.

Approximately J$85 million has been raised and disbursed for screening, treatment and patient support since 2010.

20/10/2026

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter congratulates Mureen James, Nicola Thomas and Sandrene McGhie on their outstanding recognition at the National Heroes Day Awards Ceremony held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, St. James.

We proudly celebrate these distinguished recipients for their dedication, leadership, and valuable contributions to Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Their achievements exemplify the spirit of excellence, service, and commitment that continue to strengthen our tourism sector.
Congratulations on these well-deserved honours!

19/10/2026

Today, we celebrate Jamaica’s National Heroes, honouring their courage, sacrifice and vision that helped shape our nation.

May their legacy continue to inspire us to unite, serve and build a stronger Jamaica for generations to come.

Their courage shaped our history. Their legacy inspires our future.

17/10/2026

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) will honour veteran hotelier and Caribbean tourism leader Josef Forstmayr as a 2026 CMEx Leadership Laureate at its annual Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on Sunday, December 6, 2026, in Coral Gables, Florida.

Forstmayr, Managing Director of Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica, has dedicated decades to advancing hospitality excellence and strengthening the region’s tourism industry. Since becoming managing director in 1989, he has helped establish Round Hill as an internationally acclaimed luxury resort, earning prestigious accolades from leading travel and hospitality organisations.

His contributions extend beyond hotel management. A former President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), serving from 2010 to 2012, Forstmayr has championed Caribbean tourism advocacy, stronger tourism linkages with local businesses, and the promotion of regional products and cuisine.

His distinguished career has earned him numerous honours, including Jamaica’s Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer in 2005, Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 2007, and Jamaica Hotelier of the Year in 1993 and 1996.

The CMEx Leadership Awards celebrate exceptional individuals whose leadership and service have contributed to tourism, media, sustainability and community development throughout the Caribbean.

Congratulations to Josef Forstmayr on this well-deserved recognition!

Josef Forstmayr

14/10/2026

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), and by extension, the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter, extend heartfelt congratulations to Jamaica’s World Travel Awards 2026 winners.

We commend the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), our valued travel partners and tourism stakeholders for their continued commitment to destination promotion, collaboration and excellence.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter is especially proud of its members whose achievements reflect the high standards, exceptional hospitality and outstanding visitor experiences that distinguish Montego Bay and Jamaica.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, we recognise that every award represents the collective contribution of the many individuals and organisations working tirelessly to advance Jamaica’s tourism industry.

25/09/2026

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter pays tribute to Richard Bourke, former JHTA Montego Bay Chapter Chairman and a distinguished figure whose decades of service helped shape Jamaica’s tourism and hospitality landscape.

Richard’s journey in tourism began in 1982, when an unexpected opportunity took him from Kingston to Negril and marked the beginning of a career spanning more than three decades. From his early days in hotel operations, he progressed through several leadership roles, including hotel general manager, watersports operator and senior tourism executive.

He served on the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s National Executive Council and as Chairman of the Montego Bay Chapter for three years.

In 2020, he reflected on having spent 38 years in tourism and described the industry as the foundation of his professional journey and the source of many of the opportunities that shaped his life.

Richard is also the co-founder of the renowned JHTA Montego Bay's charity event " A Celebration of Fine Jamaican Cuisine." The fundraiser further reflected his commitment to giving back as he was among those who helped build the event into a vehicle through which the tourism industry could support communities and charitable causes across Western Jamaica. The event has subsequently raised millions of dollars for organisations supporting children, education and vulnerable families.

Richard Bourke will be remembered not only for his accomplishments as a tourism professional, but for his leadership, generosity, passion for Jamaica and belief in the power of collaboration.

His career represented a life deeply intertwined with tourism, Montego Bay and the people who make Jamaica’s hospitality industry what it is.

The legacy he leaves behind will remain in our hearts and in the story of Jamaica’s tourism industry.

May his soul Rest In Peace!

Carol Bourke

23/09/2026

After a decade operating as Zoëtry Montego Bay, the 49-room property has returned to its original identity as Coyaba Beach Resort & Club, with Jamaican owners Kevin and Joanna Robertson resuming direct management.

The transition marks the return of a familiar name to Montego Bay’s tourism landscape, with the property retaining its locally owned identity throughout its decade-long management arrangement with an international hotel group.

Coyaba has reopened 32 of its 49 rooms, with the remaining inventory expected to return by October. The resort is currently operating on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with plans to reintroduce its all-inclusive offering later this year.

The return has also brought back members of the Coyaba team, with 44 employees currently on staff, including several former employees. Executive Chef Kavin Graham, who began his career at Coyaba at age 19, is among those returning to the property.

The reopening adds to Montego Bay’s recovering accommodation inventory and signals the return of a recognised Jamaican-owned resort brand to the city’s tourism product.

21/09/2026

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter joined several tourism stakeholders at the SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica Community Connect Brunch, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the White Witch Golf Course Clubhouse in Rose Hall, St. James.

The event brought together industry partners and supporters in recognition of SOS Children’s Villages’ continued work supporting children and families across Jamaica.

Support for SOS Children’s Villages remains a key outreach initiative for the JHTA Montego Bay Chapter, with the Chapter and several of its members contributing resources and assistance to the organisation.

The partnership has taken on added importance through the organisation’s Hurricane Melissa Recovery Drive, with tourism partners supporting restoration efforts. Most recently, Secrets St. James, Secrets Wild Orchid and Breathless Montego Bay donated furniture to assist with the recovery and rebuilding process.

The JHTA Montego Bay Chapter continues to encourage collaboration among tourism stakeholders to strengthen community resilience and support initiatives that positively impact Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities.

21/09/2026

Several properties in the region are scheduled to return to the market over the coming months. These include Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay, formerly Sandals Royal Caribbean, as well as MGM Muthu Crystal Cove and MGM Muthu Diamond Lagoon, formerly Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach and Royal Decameron Montego Beach. These properties are scheduled for December 2026 reopening.

The first quarter of 2027 is expected to bring another significant increase in Montego Bay's available inventory, with Catalonia Montego Bay, Dreams Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Jewel Grande, Breathless Montego Bay, Secrets St James and Secrets Wild Orchid among the properties listed for reopening.

Half Moon's Founders' Cove accommodation is continuing its phased return, with the remaining section scheduled to reopen on October 1.

SeaGarden Resorts has also used its recovery period to rebuild and expand. The Montego Bay property reopened 100 of its 214 rooms on September 1 and expects the remainder of its existing inventory to return progressively, with the full existing room stock anticipated by February 2027. The property is also expanding toward approximately 300 rooms and developing upgraded guestrooms, a new lobby lounge and a beachside restaurant on Kent Avenue.

UNICO Montego Bay is scheduled to open in March 2027 with a 451-room beachfront resort.

Another notable product development is the return of Coyaba to Jamaican ownership and operation. The 49-room property, previously operating as Zoëtry Montego Bay, is returning to its Coyaba identity under Jamaican owners Kevin and Joanna Robertson.

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Montego Bay

Website

https://jhta.org/

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