Jamaica. It’s Time to Run a New Race.
- Jun 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
On a recent visit to the Jamaican National Stadium in Kingston, I was moved by more than just nostalgia—I was moved by potential. This stadium is more than concrete and seats; it’s a temple of triumph, a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets discipline, when culture meets confidence.
It’s here that Usain Bolt, the fastest man on Earth, made his early strides before electrifying the world with his record-breaking sprints. It’s here that Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the “Pocket Rocket,” inspired generations with her explosive speed. From Merlene Ottey to Veronica Campbell-Brown, Asafa Powell to Yohan Blake, this track has borne witness to some of the most iconic moments in athletics history. Each lap, each race, each world record was proof of Jamaica’s unshakable presence on the global stage.
But as I stood in the stadium, I had a powerful thought:
What if Jamaica competed in business the way we do in track and field?
What if we lined up at the starting blocks of global hospitality and tourism with the same grit and determination that we bring to the 100-meter final? What if we trained our young entrepreneurs the way we coach sprinters, groomed our hoteliers the way we prepare Olympic athletes, and presented our "Jamaica’s Own" brand of hospitality with the same world-class execution as our relay teams?
The Power of the Hospitality Sector
Tourism contributes to over 60% of Jamaica’s GDP—a staggering figure that speaks volumes about the potential we already hold. Yet, despite this, we often play defense in global markets, instead of leading the charge. Jamaica’s beauty is unrivaled, yes. But it’s our people, our culture, our energy that turns a stay into a story, a resort into a memory.
Our hospitality isn’t just service—it’s vibes, it’s warmth, it’s music, it’s flavor, it’s that unspoken rhythm that visitors take home with them. It's the kind of experience that can't be replicated by algorithms or AI.
So imagine a world where our off-track performance matched our on-track dominance. Where we led not only in athletics, but in hotel innovation, culinary tourism, luxury service, cultural festivals, and global branding. Imagine a Jamaica whose export wasn't just sugar, bauxite, or athletes—but a premium lifestyle experience.
Notable Facts about the Jamaican National Stadium
Officially opened in 1962, the same year of Jamaica’s independence.
Hosted the Central American and Caribbean Games and Carifta Games multiple times.
Birthplace of Jamaica’s track legacy—where Usain Bolt first broke records as a schoolboy during Champs (the Inter-Secondary Schools Boys and Girls Championships).
Features a 35,000-seat capacity and remains a hub for major sporting and cultural events.
It’s Time to Run a New Race
There’s no doubt—we are world-class on the track. But now, it's time to transfer that same excellence into new lanes:
Innovation in guest experience
Entrepreneurship in food, music, and fashion
Strategic partnerships in tourism tech and sustainability
Ownership in global hospitality markets
Let us reimagine "Brand Jamaica" not just as a vacation destination, but as a blueprint for world-class hospitality. Let us train and support our business leaders with the same energy we pour into our athletes. Let us create systems that don't just win races but build legacies.
Because if Jamaica can produce the fastest man and woman in the world, surely—we can produce the finest experience the world has ever known.
Let’s take Jamaica off the track—and straight to the top.
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