Jamaica Tourism Registers 7.7 Percent Growth

Tourism in Jamaica recorded an impressive growth in the three month period from July to September 2010 with visitors increasing by more than seven percent when compared with the same period for the previous year.

The growth indicated the cumulative hard work of all tourism stake holders including the government, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and private players including tour operators and Jamaica accommodation providers. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, expressed his satisfaction by saying that the nation has been able to build a world class tourism product, and the sustained marketing efforts of the Jamaica Tourist Board in the international markets is paying rich dividends. He went as far as to say that Jamaica’s tourism was “amongst the best in the world” and that is why the island witnessed a rise in visitors despite the economic turmoil across the globe.

Figures from the JTB showed that in the months of July, August and September, the island welcomed 642,182 visitors (both stop over and cruise arrivals) when compared with 596,438 for the same three-month period in 2009. This represents an impressive growth of 7.7 percent, the largest ever for any one period since the start of the year.

Bartlett also emphasized on the need to target the emerging economies and said that the country would place more efforts in attracting visitors from Argentina, Brazil and Columbia. He also said that the marketing and promotion blitz for the South American region was in place and would roll out soon.

Meanwhile, Jamaica is expecting a high visitor turn out during this High Season. The airlift capacity remains adequate. The opening of the new pier in Falmouth in January is expected to bring in a new wave of visitors. Vacation rentals in the vicinity such as Silver Sands Villas are all geared up to cater to the accommodation needs of the tourists.