Meetings in Kingston, Jamaica

The political and cultural capital of Jamaica is the south coast city of Kingston, a metropolitan area of over 800,000 residents that’s most often visited for business rather than pleasure. Within this sprawling metropolis, the largest English-speaking city south of Miami, beats the true heart of Jamaica.

Presently Jamaica is working to make Kingston attractive to groups as an option to north coast destinations. “We think the religious market is well suited to Kingston,” explains Marcia Bullock, manager, groups and conventions for the Jamaica Tourist Board. This April, Kingston will be the site of post-trips following the Religious Marketplace in Ocho Rios. “As the capital, the true culture of Jamaica is seen in the city. Being such a religious country, groups have the opportunity to interact with the community across Jamaica but in Kingston they get to experience even more of the culture. Also the heads of many of the denominations are located in Kingston.”

One focal point of the redevelopment project is Port Royal, located near the Norman Manley International Airport. This former pirate hangout literally sank into the seat on June 7, 1692 when a violent earthquake shook the region. Archaeologists have recovered artifacts from the scandalous community and hope to reconstruct this sunken city and restore area dockyards and an historic fort. Present attractions in the city include reggae superstar Bob Marley’s former home, the National Art Gallery, and historic Devon House which offers guided tours.

Kingston is also home to the island’s most extensive meeting facility: the Jamaica Convention Centre. This is the home of the International Seabed Authority, the UN body that creates all laws for the world’s seas. The modern facility lies along the lovely waterfront on Ocean Boulevard, where parks overlook the harbor. Many of the city’s hotels located in the district known as New Kingston also offer meeting facilities.

The capital city also serves as a gateway to the Blue Mountains, the fog-shrouded range that is home to world-famous Blue Mountain coffee. Groups can arrange tours of this remote region or enjoy it from the comfort of Strawberry Hill, a small resort perched over 3,000 feet above sea level and overlooking both Kingston and the mountains.