Tourism Ministry Taking Steps to Realize Summer Visitor Projections  

• The Ministry of Tourism is taking steps to ensure Jamaica realises outturns projected for visitor arrivals and earnings over this year’s summer period, between June and August. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, advised that Jamaica is forecast to welcome approximately 1.2 million visitors and earn some US$1.5 billion during the period, to make it the best summer in the industry’s history.
• He said the projected arrivals represent an 87.5% load factor of the 1.4 million airlift seats already secured, noting that the latter is a 16 percentage points increase over 2019. However, Mr. Bartlett said consequent on “certain negatives” and “headwinds” acknowledged, that could derail the projections, he will be leading a high-powered delegation to Jamaica’s top visitor source market, the United States, beginning the first week of June, for meetings with stakeholder counterparts.
• The Minister was speaking during the official opening of the new Sandals Dunn’s River Hotel in Mammee Bay, St. Ann on May 19. Mr. Bartlett said it is imperative that Jamaica remains proactive and doesn’t allow the industry’s current upward trajectory to taper off, particularly in light of the sacrifices made to revitalize tourism to pre-COVID-19 levels.
• Meanwhile, President of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), Zane Kerby, said Jamaica’s tourism product continues to be first-rate, noting that the new Sandals Dunn’s River property will add to the country’s allure. He said Jamaica is in a unique position, based on its association with Sandals International Resorts, pointing out that the 18,000 travel advisors who are members of the ASTA see both entities as one.
• He further highlighted that the island remains a top-10 destination for aspirational visits by Americans, citing as the main reasons “proximity, warm hospitality, crystal blue beaches, food, music, culture, and the attractions”.

(Source: JIS News)