Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has said $500 million from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has been earmarked for a comprehensive upgrading of the resort town of Ocho Rios and its environs.

Bartlett said he had commissioned the plan to make Ocho Rios the premier destination in Jamaica and will focus on creating new attractions.

He said once the plan was completed it would be presented to the economic council of the Cabinet for approval.

Among the plans are:

the development of a $200-million artisan village in Ocho Rios;

$60 million worth of improvements for the Seville Heritage Site;

a $50-million upgrade of Fern Gully;

and the $107-million upgrade of the Boscobel aerodrome, which is being done in conjunction with the Airports Authority.

Refurbishing

Bartlett also said contracts had been awarded for the refurbishing of five craft markets in the Ocho Rios area, with work set to begin later this month and expected to be completed in time for the winter tourist season, which begins in December.

The minister also disclosed that $6.8 million had been spent on upgrading the Rio Nuevo battle site in St Mary. This, he said, was done in conjunction with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

Bartlett was speaking Wednesday night at the Prime Minister's town hall meeting in Ocho Rios, St Ann.