TORONTO — Jamaica is posting overall market growth of 5.4% for the first six months of 2018, with stopover tourist arrivals up by 5.9% and cruise by 4.8% over the same period last year.
For the period January to June 2018, Jamaica recorded more than 1.25 million stopover arrivals and over 1 million cruise arrivals. The island welcomed over 100,000 more visitors year-on-year and earned a sizeable increase in foreign exchange earnings.
Stopover arrivals accounted for US$1.459 billion in earnings and cruise accounted for $100.6 million, totaling $1.556 billion, an increase of 7.3%.
The JTB says quick, decisive and sustained initiatives led by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism Donovan White successfully mitigated the possible negative outcomes that could have resulted from the enhanced security measures implemented in the parish of St. James.
The State of Public Emergency, issued Jan. 18 for Montego Bay and the surrounding St. James Parish, followed an uptick in crime. In response the Canadian government revised its travel advice for Jamaica, advising Canadian travellers to stay in resort areas and not venture off-property.
During a press conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James this week, Minister Bartlett reported that “the strong on-the-ground marketing engagements which brought us face to face with key stakeholders here and around the world, have helped to not only stave off any fall-out from these measures, but also increased growth in arrivals to our shores.”
Speaking about the marketing activities that were engaged to keep Jamaica top of mind, Director White said: “It has been all hands on deck as teams locally and overseas spread the message of destination Jamaica’s commitment to providing exciting and authentic experiences to all visitors. As we ramp up our digital marketing strategies among a range of other initiatives, we are confident that the value of our tourism product will continue to attract visitors.”
Minister Bartlett reiterated that “while the implementation of enhanced security measures did stir a whirlwind of concerns locally and internationally, several overseas partners welcomed the initiative as a necessary step and continue to support our nation’s security apparatus in their efforts to make Jamaica a safe place for all.”
