Increase in Stopover Arrivals First Quarter

Performance has been on target for the tourism sector during this first quarter, with a 7.9 per cent increase in stopover arrivals and a 1.3 per cent increase in cruise passenger arrivals.
Industry and Tourism Minister, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba, speaking in the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in the House, yesterday (May 24), said that for the 2005 calendar year, the projected targets were an eight per cent increase in stopover arrivals and a two per cent increase for cruise arrivals.
Mrs. Assamba said while the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), would continue to target the established geographic regions, there would be stronger focus on growing the European market, in a bid to increase the market share from 17 per cent to 20 per cent by 2007/08. Greater focus would also be placed on the Latin American market.
She noted that in celebration of its 50th anniversary this year, the JTB would be launching several major sales and promotional programmes in all major markets to further cement existing relations.
Where there was a move to secure additional airlift to counter the imminent increase in room stock and support the expected demand from new markets, several new developments have come to light.
These include a weekly charter service from Lisbon, Portugal to Montego Bay, lasting initially from 10 to 12 weeks, and as of June 4, DELTA airlines will start a non-stop service weekly between Montego Bay and Cincinatti. In addition, the airline is to increase its capacity from a B737 to a B767 daily from Atlanta as of June 1. This will mean approximately 100 additional seats each day.
Meanwhile, Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), will be focusing very heavily on supporting tour operators’ charters out of Europe, particularly Holland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland in line with the Tourism Master Plan on growing the European Market.