Jamaica records four per cent tourism growth

Minister Bartlett credited the improved performance of the sector to intense advertising, marketing and promotion of the island overseas.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, January 14, 2009 – Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has revealed that despite the economic downturn in major markets overseas, this island experienced a four per cent growth in tourist arrivals last year and earned US$2 billion in revenue.

“Last year…we welcomed 1,757,000 visitors to the island, which was 63,000 more than the previous year,” he said.

Noting that the United States continued to dominate the market, accounting for 65 per cent of arrivals – an increase of 1.2 per cent over the previous year – Mr Bartlett added: “This is significant because the US suffered the greatest impact of the downturn in the global economy.”

He also made special mention of Canada which was the biggest growth market, with arrivals from that country increasing by 53 per cent in the month of November.

Minister Bartlett credited the improved performance of the sector to intense advertising, marketing and promotion of the island overseas.

The Tourism Minister said initiatives have already been launched to further boost the sector – including a major promotion at the Port Authority Centre in Manhattan, New York last week – and added that additional plans are on the cards.

He said several airlift arrangements have been made to secure and increase flights into the island from existing and emerging markets.

"West Jet Airlines has increased the number of flights to Jamaica. We have brought a new flight out of Vancouver, Canada, received confirmation from Virgin Atlantic for additional flights later on this year and a new flight is to be announced by one of the large American airlines," Minister Bartlett said.