Arrivals Up for Winter Tourist Season

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is reporting that the 2014/15 Winter Tourist Season is going well, with arrivals up just over a month after the December 15, 2014 start.

Speaking to JIS News, Dr. McNeill said the preliminary figures for the first two weeks of 2015 are indicating that arrivals are up by over 5 per cent in Kingston and Montego Bay and “we are projecting a very good season.”

He added that despite the fact that all hotels are doing well, efforts must be made to drive the marketing process as that in turn will ensure the best rates for the island’s hotel rooms.

“The properties are doing well and what is very interesting to me is that it’s across the board. The calls coming from the small and medium properties are that they are pleased with how things are going now. Already, the bookings for summer are looking very positive,” the Minister said.

At the start of the 2014/15 Winter Tourist Season in December last year, an upbeat Minister McNeill expressed optimism about the fortunes for the season.

He said his optimism was based on the positive feedbacks he received at the recently held World Travel Market in London, England, coupled with the fact that several new products are set to come on stream in Jamaica shortly.

The Minister also pointed out that the Thompson Dream Cruise Ship  will be home porting in Jamaica, which will result in four  additional flights coming to Jamaica out of the United Kingdom on a weekly basis.