Jamaica will gain 2,000 new hotel rooms on four sites on the island’s northwest coast beginning in the first half of 2012, said Edmund Bartlett, the country’s tourism minister. “Some of these represent the expansion of existing hotels while at least two new hotels are to be built,” said Bartlett, who did not specify the hotels properties or companies responsible for the new capacity.

Speaking to potential investors and tourism partners in Spain this week, Bartlett said Bruce Golding’s recent decision to resign as prime minister later this year will not impact the future growth and development of Jamaica’s tourism product. “The prime minister’s decision not to seek re-election is a normal function of the democratic process and is not a sign of trouble for the country or its established and robust tourism product. Jamaica remains open for business,” Bartlett said. For more information, visit www.visitjamaica.com.