Jamaica Welcomes 1.3 Million Visitors

The island welcomed approximately 1.3 million visitors between January and August this year.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced the figure on August 28, when he welcomed the one millionth visitor to the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, St. James.
Mr. Bartlett told JIS News that he was “cautiously optimistic” that the Fall tourist season would be “reasonable,” with the expectation that Jamaica would get to 1.9 million tourist arrivals by year end.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), welcomes Mrs. Angela Wilson of New York City, in the United States of America, as the one millionth visitor to the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, on August 28. Looking on are Mr. Wilson (right), and Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch

“We continue to market destination Jamaica in a strong way. We are very pleased that we have recovered, to a large extent, from the limited state of emergency and the problems that emanated from it,” he said.
Mr. Bartlett noted that while the number of visitors expected was approximately 100,000 less than originally projected, the new figure of 1.9 million by the end of the year would be the highest number of arrivals the country has ever seen in one year.
He also informed that as a result of the revised visitor projection, the earnings have also been adjusted from $2.2 billion to $2 billion.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch, outlined the Board’s marketing strategy ahead of the Winter tourist season.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), presents Mrs. Angela Wilson of New York City, in the United States of America, with a gift for being the one millionth visitor to the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, on August 28. Her husband, Mr. Wilson is at second right. Also sharing the moment are Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch (second left) and Area Chairman of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Omar Robinson.

He said the JTB would be flying in about 2,000 travel agents during September to get a first hand look at what Jamaica has to offer. Marketing blitzes have also been planned for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. He said television advertisements in the overseas markets will also resume in October.
“This (Jamaica) is undoubtedly the best product in the Caribbean [in terms of] things to do and the condition of the hotels. The private sector has really done their jobs, so this is really a great destination,” he argued.