By Andrew Green, Staff ReporterCRIME has sounded the death knell for Jamaica's tourist villas and apartments, right? Think again.
Returning residents, foreigners and some locals are driving a boom in villa and apartment development. The result is a growth rate for the sector in the same league as that taking place in the much talked about hotel business.
"The sector has been growing tremendously," said Vanna Taylor, chairman of the 400-member Association of Villas and Apartments. "Some absolutely wonderful properties have come on stream over the past few years."
Outside of the 16,723 guest rooms in the hotel sector, Jamaica had 7,516 rooms in 2002, according to the most recent Jamaica Tourist Board data. Of these, villas accounted for 3,814 rooms, a 33 per cent increase over the level in 1992. Guest houses are operated
like mini-hotels, but have under 10 rooms. They are not as personalised as a villas, which have their own individual swimming pool and staff.
The country had 2,637 rooms in guest houses in 2002, a 29 per cent increase from the 1992 level. There was a 26 per cent fallout in the apartments sector over the period, with the country ending up with 1,065 in 2002.
Hotel room numbers grew 38 per cent in the period.
PERSONALISED ENVIRONMENT
Growth in villas and apartments has come about because the capital requirements are smaller for investing in villas and guest houses than in hotels, Ms. Taylor said. They make attractive investments because many people prefer the informality and personalised service associated with these properties. A bonus is that the owners can use the property themselves and do their own marketing. Many villas have security systems and get added protection from locations in cottage complexes.
"When one does poorly, it is mainly because of poor marketing," she said. The most popular locations are in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Port Antonio retains some fine properties from its golden era.
The drop in the number of apartments resulted from the switch of such accommodation into the long-term domestic rental market, said Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook. Examples
of this in-clude the Colum-bus Heights, Fisherman's Point and Sea Palms complexes in Ocho Rios. Around 1999 there was a demand for middle-income housing at the same time as there was a fall in tourist traffic, Mr. Pennicook said. Apartment operators found it easy to convert to serve the new market and many did.
The immediate prospects for the sector through to the middle of 2004 are positive with generally high occupancies projected. Ms. Taylor said she knows of properties which had been booked solid from last year through to the middle of this year.
The long-term prospects are good because the sector appeals to both foreigners and locals, she said.
"When a group gets together, it does not cost a lot to rent a villa. Our Jamaican business is fantastic, especially on public holidays."
The villa and guest house sector will continue to grow, she added.
