Tourism Ministry expecting 4.2 million visitor arrivals at year-end

By Prince Moore    

 

The Ministry of Tourism is reporting that it expects more than 4.2 million combined visitors to the island at the end of the year, despite some setbacks.

 

Senior Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright says earnings this year should be more than US$4 billion.

 

He told Radio Jamaica News that the sector remains vibrant despite some hiccups. 

 

"There were some significant hiccups this year, certainly with the travel advisories, Hurricane Beryl. We have airlift restrictions. The airlines are challenged to provide a number of seats that we need. Of course, there were issues in the sector at the level of our workers. Nonetheless, we have a robust winter tourist season ahead. We expect certainly to end the year strong with just over 4.2 million combined visitors stop over and cruise and earnings in excess of US$4.3 billion," said Mr. Seiveright.

 

He added that a number of airlines are offering daily flights from the United States as well as South American countries into Jamaica.   

 

"[These include] Avelo out of the United States, which is doing non-stop flights between Hartford, Connecticut and Montego Bay. And of course, LATAM, which is doing non-stop flights between Lima, Peru and Montego Bay, which gives great connections to persons from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and so on, to get to Jamaica. So we're looking at a very, very strong winter, despite the challenges that we face. And we're very happy about that," said the tourism strategist.