Jamaica bracing for more Canadian tourists

Jamaica is predicting an influx of tourists from Canada as the North American country continues to register strong growth over the last few years, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who recently returned from a visit to Canada, said he expects 450,000 visitors from that country to visit Jamaica this year surpassing the 405,000 last year and 370,000 the previous year.

“So, they broke the 400 thousand mark again in 2017. They did that in 2014, then they receded and fell by 17 per cent, but we have arrested that decay and now we have strong growth, and based on projections, we are expecting an increase of more than 40,000 Canadians to come to Jamaica this year,” Bartlett said.

Exciting and productive visit

He described the visit to Canada where he held talks with various stakeholders as “a most exciting and productive one” noting that he was able to meet with a number of the planners and allay concerns regarding the enhanced security operations in St. James.

artlett said he met with one group that has indicated it would bring 600 visitors to the island next month.

Strong tourism growth despite SOE

He said in the month of January, Jamaica recorded a 6.8 per cent increase in arrivals, with 7.6 per cent growth during the period when the State of Emergency was implemented.

“The strength of the destination and the fact that people have known that Jamaica is a safe and secure destination, have bled over in a positive response to their vacation,” he said, adding that he plans to visit London, New York, and central and continental Europe later this month.