JHTA Optimistic About Winter Season

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Nicola Madden Greig, says things are looking “very positive” for the upcoming winter tourist season, coming from a 3.1 per cent growth in the industry since the start of the year.

“For January to October…Jamaica has received just over 1.7 million stopover arrivals, an increase of approximately 3.1 per cent over 2013. As we look forward to the official start of the 2014/15 winter tourist season in December, we in Jamaica remain positive,” Mrs. Madden Greig said.

She was speaking at the opening of the 6^th Tourism Outlook Seminar on Thursday, November 20, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

She said that a number of new products are set to come on stream to add to the diversification of destination Jamaica.

“Jamaica will see the introduction of a few international brands and our visitors will benefit from refurbished and renovated hotels and attraction facilities,” she said.

The JHTA President noted that the opening up of the north-south highway is another positive, as it will make travelling to attractions and resort areas easier.

“The opening up of our north-south highway and its projected completion in 2015 will now ensure that the resort areas of the south coast, Port Antonio, Kingston and our majestic Blue Mountains, are in easier access to our visitors seeking the diversity that Jamaica has to offer,” she said.

Meanwhile, the JHTA President is encouraging players in the industry to seek to take advantage of niche markets, such as the growing trend of city tourism.

She said city tourism is a market that has untapped potential, which can bring success to the island.

“Both here in Jamaica and regionally, niche markets such as sports, health/wellness, adventure, meetings and conventions, and volume tourism, must continue to be a major focus. The JHTA also recognizes the new trend where city tourism in now experiencing major growth. In fact, worldwide, city tourism is said to be growing faster than international tourism. We as a region… need to look beyond traditional tourism and look at our non-traditional areas as well,” she noted.