Jamaica’s newest airport is to be named after James Bond author Ian Fleming.
A new terminal building and expanded runway at Boscobel Airport, near Ocho Rios opens next month and will be renamed Ian Fleming International Airport.
The $300 million airport will accommodate high-end travellers and private jets, boosting tourism in the surrounding communitiea and eventually supporting flight schedules to and from surrounding Caribbean islands.
The country hopes the airport, combined with new top-end hotels and casinos, will attract more affluent clients.
Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett explained: “We already had the budget and middle market covered and had some luxury hotels, but we want to offer more to the very rich clients.
“Upgrading infrastructure, improving shopping, and various other projects to achieve this, will represent a $1 billion investment by the time we have finished.”
The introduction of casinos was met negatively by the church initially, but Bartlett said the country was now united in wanting to introduce gaming.
“We are bringing gaming to the country for the first time because big emerging markets such as Asia want casinos,” he said.
Bartlett also emphasised the focus on the meetings and events market with the new Montego Bay Convention Centre opening next year in time for the 2011 Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Marketplace.
He also said Jamaica would be centre stage during the London Olympics in 2012, riding on the back of sprint superstar Usain Bolt, although he was unable to provide more details.