Kingston, Jamaica – Jamaica’ Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says despite the numerous challenges Jamaica and the wider Caribbean have faced over the past year he anticipates that the country should welcome a record two million stopover visitors and earn close to US$2 Billion this year.
In his message marking the start of the Winter Tourist Season, which begins today, December 15, 2013, Minister McNeill said that “as a destination Jamaica has much to give thanks for as we have performed well. We are optimistic about the prospects for this season and can say with confidence that Jamaica is on track for a good winter tourist season.”
He emphasized that “preliminary estimates for January through November show that Jamaica has welcomed over 1.8 million stopover visitors and if everything continues on track it is expected to be a landmark year as the country should welcome for the first time over two million stopover visitors in a year.”
“There is every indication that this winter is shaping up to be better than last winter. We are encouraged by the number of advanced bookings and the excitement that brand Jamaica still generates in both our traditional and non-traditional markets,” said Minister McNeill.
Citing an upsurge in hotel investments, Minister McNeill said he is pleased that the local tourism sector is becoming increasingly attractive to investors. “This year alone, we have seen nearly $20 Billion worth of investment. This has also brought new brands to the mix, such as Hyatt, Melia, Royalton and Karisma, further contributing to the diverse character of our industry,” added the Minister.
Minister McNeill also pointed to encouraging prospects in the cruise industry. Jamaica is anticipating growth for 2014 with a projection of 1.4 million cruise ship visitors, which would make it a record year. “We have numerous new vessels making inaugural calls in Jamaica in all three major ports. Just recently our cruise ports received seven ships in a single day with at least two in each of our ports in Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios, with over 30,000 persons onboard. This and the increases we are enjoying in airlift auger well for a robust winter season, extending through 2014,” the Minister said.
In concluding his Winter Tourist Season message, Minister McNeill implored every Jamaican, whether directly or indirectly employed in the industry, to support and enhance Jamaica’s tourism sector, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world and brings in millions of much needed foreign exchange annually.
