BELLEVUE, Wash. – Expedia group, one of the world’s largest online travel companies, reported today that travel demand for Jamaica hotels on Expedia.com® and Hotels.com® grew nearly 20 percent in the first half of 2014 when compared to the same time period in 2013. Vacation packages accounted for over 60 percent of the demand.
New data from Expedia also indicates that the United States remains the key feeder market for Jamaica with a reported growth of nearly 20 percent. Other international markets reporting substantial year over year growth in the first half include:
- Brazil, with more than 130 percent growth
- Netherlands, with nearly 100 percent growth
- Sweden, with nearly 95 percent growth
- Italy, with nearly 70 percent growth
“Jamaica consistently ranks as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations. We’re thrilled that our Jamaican hotel partners continue to report growth and are generating demand via Expedia’s latest technologies, powerful marketing platforms and valuable market intelligence,” said Demetrius Canton, Director of Lodging Partner Services for the Caribbean, for Expedia group. “Attending JAPEX and meeting with industry leaders and valued partners provides our Market Management team with the opportunity to enhance our relationships in the region and further identify the priorities and needs of our partners.”
Expedia formed 57 new partnerships in Jamaica in 2014 to date, adding more properties to its portfolio, thereby advancing the company’s commitment to driving tourism growth in the region. By working with Expedia group, hotels in the Caribbean gain exposure to the more than 150 websites in more than 70 countries worldwide, in addition to a myriad of mobile sites and apps, from brands such as Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Hotwire®, Egencia®, Expedia Affiliate Network® and Venere®.
Representatives from Expedia’s Market Management team will attend The Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), the destination’s premier trade event and the single most important business generator for Jamaica’s tourism industry, September 21-23, 2014 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Throughout the two-day conference, Expedia executives will share the latest news, information on innovative marketing tools and recommendations on how hotel partners can take advantage of Expedia’s mobile technologies, tools and market intelligence to achieve increased visibility and incremental demand for their properties.
