On Thursday, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, emphasized the robust and enduring relationship between Jamaica and Spain. Highlighting Spain’s significant contributions to Jamaica’s economic aspirations, Johnson Smith pointed to the tourism sector as a prime example of this collaboration. Spanish investments in Jamaica’s tourism industry have exceeded US$2.5 billion, with notable projects such as the Grand Palladium Hotel in Hanover, which commenced construction in February. This development will introduce 950 new hotel rooms and provide housing for 550 staff members, further enhancing Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Additionally, in January, both nations finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for International Cooperation on Tourism, aimed at fostering collaboration in gastronomy, human capital development, and resilience. Johnson Smith remarked, ‘The expansion of Spain’s economic cooperation underscores its confidence in Jamaica as a prime investment destination,’ during her speech at the Spain National Day reception held at the Spanish ambassador’s residence in St Andrew. Spanish Ambassador José María Fernández López de Turiso echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that trade and investment remain central to Spain’s bilateral relations with Jamaica. He noted, ‘As the fastest-growing economy in the Eurozone, Spain’s growth positively impacts Jamaica through substantial investments. For yet another consecutive year, Spain has solidified its position as one of Jamaica’s largest investors, particularly in the tourism sector.’ Diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Spain were established in December 1966, and over the past decade, their partnership has deepened significantly. Beyond tourism, the two nations collaborate in education, particularly in promoting Spanish language training, as well as in sports, agriculture, and health.