Return of Direct Flights from Italy Major Boost for Tourism

• The return of direct flights from Italy is being hailed by local stakeholders as a major boost for air connectivity out of Europe and for the upcoming winter tourist season, which officially starts on December 15. “The addition of these direct flights speaks to the confidence our airline partners have of the destination,” Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, told JIS News.
• Government officials, attraction and hotel owners, transport operators, and other business interests, said that the latest development, which saw the inaugural arrival of Neos Airline out of Milan, Italy into Montego Bay on November 20, represents an important sign of recovery since 2019 and the subsequent onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The minister expects the return of direct flights to dramatically increase arrivals from Italy, pointing to the 13,000 visitors Jamaica received in 2019. During the upcoming winter season, the airline will connect Italy to Jamaica with two weekly flights.
• This development will further support the recovery of the tourism sector, and contribute to spillover effects to other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and transportation, which will in turn drive economic growth.

(Source: JIS News)