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  2018 February 7
Dear Travel Partner:
I would like to provide you with an update on Destination Jamaica.
First, I’d like to assure you that despite the enhanced security measures, which will continue to be in force until May 2, Jamaica remains safe for travelers. The extension does not impact the daily activities of residents and visitors
In fact, now more than ever, travelers from all over the world are coming to our shores. Jamaica closed out 2017 with a stellar record of visitors, receiving 2,352,915 stopover arrivals in 2017, a 7.8 percent increase from 2016, which saw 2,181,684 stopover arrivals. Visitor arrivals in the month of December 2017 hit a record 251,800, a 9.3 percent increase from the 230,453 recorded in December 2016. The number of cruise passengers to Jamaica also grew, with 1,923,275 cruise passenger arrivals in 2017, an increase of 16.2 percent from 2016.
We look forward to continuing this upward trajectory through 2018 and beyond, with new and varied accommodation offerings and improved programs that provide visitors with an authentic and sustainable taste of Jamaican life.
Allow me to share additional arrival information – the U.S. market grew 7.4 percent from 2016. But I’m proud to say the U.S. was far from the only market to experience growth. Cumulatively, 2017 saw 405,174 visitors from Canada, marking an increase of 8.9 percent from 2016. The European market grew 10.6 percent and the Latin American market has provided the most extreme growth as Latin American arrivals in 2017 increased by 16.2 percent from 2016. Stopovers from Asia also increased 3.8 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.
Of the 251,800 visitors who arrived in Jamaica in December 2017, the resort area of Montego Bay hosted 32.8 percent, amounting to 82,610 visitors. Ocho Rios welcomed 21.2 percent; Negril received 17.8 percent and Kingston saw 10.4 percent. The remaining 17.8 percent stayed in Port Antonio, the South Coast region and the other beautiful parts of our island.
With your partnership, we are confident that we will draw even more visitors to our island in 2018. Thank you for your continued support.
Cheers,
DONNIE DAWSON
DIRECTOR OF TOURISM (ACTG) |
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