KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Jamaica has achieved a major milestone in its road to recovery: its one millionth stopover arrival this year.
Brian Simmons, the lucky one millionth passenger and first-time visitor to Jamaica, flew with JetBlue from New York’s JFK airport to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) on June 15, along with his mother, Monica. They were both greeted by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, and Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White, who surprised Simmons with an all-expenses-paid return trip.
“I could not be more pleased or prouder to greet Mr. Simmons, our one millionth stopover visitor arriving this year, and welcome him to our beautiful island home,” said Minister Bartlett. “This moment is a testament to the confidence that the market shows in Jamaica as well as the strength, resilience and enduring appeal of Jamaica’s tourism product as we build back stronger.”
Minister Bartlett and Director White greet Simmons and his mother Monica Simmons at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport on June 15, 2022
The Minister added: “It’s wonderful to see more than one million guests already in this year of our 60th Anniversary, with the bulk of arrivals having accrued in just the past four months and the expectation that we will welcome our next million stopovers in the next four months. We encourage everyone to explore the island, connect with our people and learn about our culture so they will want to come back to Jamaica again and again.”
According to White, bookings for the summer season have been strong.
“We have been seeing a steadily increasing growth in stopover arrivals this year and, summer bookings pacing ahead of 2019 to be the strongest summer we have ever experienced,” said White.
Main photo: From l-r: Deputy Mayor, Montego Bay, Richard Vernon; Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett; Brian Simmons; Monica Simmons; Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White.
