Bartlett Downplays Concerns About Public Beach Access; Says Most Have Been Upgraded, Remain Entry-free | RJR News

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the Government will continue to enhance public beaches across the island, with a focus on expanding infrastructure and strengthening environmental management measures.

He’s maintaining that the objective is to ensure Jamaicans have access to well-maintained recreational spaces, while safeguarding the country’s coastal environment.

The Minister also sought to dispel what he described as misconceptions surrounding Jamaicans’ access to the country’s beaches.

He contends that, while Jamaica boasts approximately 2,200 kilometres of coastline, only 22 per cent is suitable for traditional beach and swimming activities.

The Minister says Jamaica has 70 public beaches, 60 of which have been upgraded in recent years, and that only 10 of these are commercially operated, with just five requiring the payment of an entry fee.

He acknowledged that there may be challenges with access to some beaches, but cautioned against using isolated cases to characterise the state of beach access across the island.

He also accepted that further improvements are needed and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address existing challenges and enhance the quality of the country’s public beaches.

Mr Bartlett was speaking recently in Trelawny.