WASHINGTON, DC – Director of Tourism, Basil Smith has emphasized the important role that Air Jamaica continues to play in the country’s growing tourist industry.
Addressing a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark Air Jamaica’s 25th anniversary of service to the Caribbean from out of Baltimore, at the Baltimore Washington International Airport, Mr. Smith said that, “tourism is the lifeblood of Caribbean nations, and one of the most effective resources that we have at our disposal is Jamaica’s national airline, which continues to make tremendous contributions to Jamaica’s tourist industry and to the Caribbean as a whole”.
He pointed out that in 2006, there was a 15.3 per cent increase in tourist arrivals over 2005, and this would not have been possible without the network of service that Air Jamaica provided throughout North America.
The Director said that Air Jamaica has been a long standing partner of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in promoting a number of major events and the organization looked forward to continuing that partnership with the national airline.
In his remarks, Air Jamaica’s Senior Vice President, Will Rogers said that the Baltimore route was one of the strongest within Air Jamaica’s operation. He noted that plans were in place to introduce a second flight and a larger aircraft out of the Baltimore gateway.
He also paid tribute to Caribbean nationals in Baltimore for supporting Air Jamaica.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by top executives of the Baltimore Washington International Airport, representatives of the Maryland government, tour operators, top executives of Air Jamaica and members of the Caribbean community.
