Jamaica Looking to Engage Major Global Airlines to Boost Regional Connectivity

• Jamaica is looking to engage with major global airlines to increase airlift to the island according to Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. Among the airlines being engaged are Emirates and Saudi Airlines.
• The move is aimed at expanding Jamaica’s reach into new markets. It provides the country with an opportunity to negotiate with the major global airlines, as it represents the next significant frontier for local tourism.
• Minister Bartlett, who was addressing the recent Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) appreciation breakfast for staff at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, said emphasis is also being placed on boosting regional connectivity pointing to the increasing number of carriers operating within the region, including Bahamasair, Caribbean Airways and Cayman Airways.
• Turning to the winter tourist season, which started on December 15, Minister Bartlett said that the preliminary figures indicate that “this is going to be the best winter season on record.” He noted that the destination has secured 178,000 new seats this winter, representing an increase from every major gateway coming to Jamaica.
• This surge is supported by significant growth from key markets such as the United States – 74,000 additional seats, Canada – 78,000 additional seats (a 35 per cent increase over last season), United Kingdom – 338 additional seats, and the Caribbean – more than 1,000 additional seats.
• Jamaica is currently witnessing a boom in high-end tourism, with 18 private jets arriving in Montego Bay on just one day last week, as reported by Delano Seiveright, Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism.

(Sources: JIS & Caribbean National Weekly)