Against the background of a year that began soft, Jamaica's 2007 stop-over arrivals will record a new high, as a result of an anticipated 200,000 visitors that are expected to visit the island in December, Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett told Hospitality Jamaica.
The minister, who made the announcement at a church service marking the start of Tourism Awareness Week at the St. Mark's Anglican church in Mandeville on Sunday, said to date, 1.5 million stop-over visitors have graced the island's shores.
"Throughout the first six months of the year, we experienced negative growth, but the last five months have improved significantly, with September showing a 4.8 per cent increase, October nine per cent and November a preliminary figure of one per cent," he revealed.
According to him, the robust performance of the Canadian and European markets and the rebound from the United States have contributed to the turnaround in the marketplace, "Along with the very strong marketing activities by the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board and our travel partners."
unbeatable
Addressing the congregation, which included a host of stakeholders in the tourist industry, the minister said there was a reason why Jamaica's repeat visitor rate was so high, "Well over 40 per cent," observing that "when we give of ourselves from the heart, we are unbeatable."
The news comes just ahead of the winter tourist season, which commences this Saturday, December 15.
The winter tourist season, which is expected to be one of the most bullish in the history of the country, has influenced forecasters to predict that this year is capable of surpassing all previous years. And, if the predictions are correct, the country could outpace the $2 billion that it earned from the over three million tourists that the island welcomed in 2006.
family resorts show most potential
Checks made with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Negril Chapter revealed that the resort town started off December with a bang with the Reggae Marathon, which had a large contingent out of Canada.
Mrs. Evelyn Smith, Negril area chairman, expects the trend to continue, with the family resorts showing the most potential for business. "We are likely to be busy with a number of bookings over the Christmas weekend," she stated.
She pointed out that indications are that the busiest period would be February and March 2008, "And we are hoping that after the joint effort with the JTB and our local hoteliers to resuscitate the spring break, more life will be breathed into that sector."
Reports from the four Island Outpost properties are that bookings are positive for the season, "We are 15 per cent up from the U.K. and 29 up from the rest of Europe. And our direct business is up 23 per cent, website business up 31 per cent and travel agent business up 24 per cent," said president of the group, Jason Henzell
