The popular Welcome to Montego Bay sign and attraction has been completed at nearly half the cost to the Jamaican Government coming in at only $9.78 million with donations from private sector entities totaling $5 million bringing the total cost to roughly $14.78 million.
In November 2018, it was announced that the sign would cost approximately $17 million dollars.
The sign now stands illuminated with varying colours.
The monument was unveiled by Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett along with officials from the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies alongside several Montego Bay business leaders.
Speaking at the official lighting ceremony, Minister Bartlett says that cost must be seen against longevity, sustainability and real value.
He notes that the government is building capacity to add more value.
Minister Bartlett praised the business community for its donation of $5 million dollars towards the project.
The development also falls within the extension of the eastern gateway project, which is a series of beautification works running west along the corridor from Greenwood to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport roundabout.
Minister Bartlett adds that tourism is more than an industry, it is a catalyst that speeds up growth in all sectors.
