Jamaica’s year-on-tear tourist numbers up more than 16%.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA – According to figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the number of UK tourists visiting the island in the period January-August 2014, compared to January-August 2015, increased by 16.6%. Jamaica is hosting more tourists than ever before and is set to become the number one Caribbean destination amongst UK holidaymakers this year, overtaking current leader, Barbados.
There are a number of reasons why the ‘Home of All Right’ continues to be such a hit with British holiday makers: the people, the natural beauty, the cuisine, the culture, the music, the sport, the sense of adventure and romance. And of course, the beaches.
Likewise, the opening of a raft of new resorts means there are more places than ever for holidaymakers to rest, relax and recharge. Hyatt, Royalton, Sensatori and Moon Palace have all recently opened stunning new resorts. Others, including the Grand Bahia Principe Runaway Bay and the Sensatori, are adding rooms.
Other factors, like the continued strength of the pound against the dollar; a reduction in fuel surcharges; the UK’s growing economy, cruise liners continuing to home port in Montego Bay, and the popularity of eco-tourism and sustainability, both of which are thriving on the island, are also helping to make Jamaica the ‘must go’ destination for Brits in the Caribbean.
And the growth is set to continue in 2016.
The total number of airline seats will increase by more than 11,000 in the 2015-2016 winter season, compared to the previous year. The number of airline seats in the 2016 summer season will also increase from the previous year. A programme of new openings is also planned: The Marriott Courtyard in Kingston; The Melia Braco Resort; Sunscape Cove & Splash Resorts; Zoetry Resort, and the reconstruction of the Royalton Grand Lido in Negril, formerly known as the Breezes Grand Lido Negril, which is due for completion in the middle of 2016.
“The UK’s love affair with Jamaica is going from strength to strength,” says Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We are working hard to promote the island and make it the Caribbean destination of choice for holidaymakers. We are targeting all sectors of the UK market, with a particular focus on driving demand in the north of the UK, and in building and strengthening our relationships with agents and partners, and it’s paying off.”
Across Europe too, more and more holidaymakers are choosing to feel the Jamaican vibe. Overall numbers are up 8.1%, with Denmark, Finland and Ireland showing the strongest growth.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
