On June 4, Jamaica welcomed new air service into the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay from Austin, Texas, as part of its ongoing partnership with American Airlines. Sixty- six passengers disembarked the Embraer-175 aircraft, which has a capacity of 76. The flight, which will operate on Saturdays, also had a full load on both the return leg.
According to Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, this new service is part of an anticipated strong summer for the destination. This marks the strengthening of relations with the southeastern region of US market as the building of capacity to drive the arrival numbers and develop a more robust route in the future. The projection for summer 2022 is that arrival numbers will be higher than the corresponding period in 2019.
Minister Bartlett anticipates that this will the largest summer for the tourist industry. He said, “Based on bookings we are well ahead of 2019.” In reference to the critical role that linkages with the tourism sector play, Minister Bartlett reiterated, “A strong summer means that agriculture will be stronger. It means that manufacturing will be stronger, transportation will be stronger and small and medium enterprises that feed so much into the experiences of tourism will be economically stronger.”
Due to heightened interest in the destination, there are more flights coming to island. “We are seeing more gateways opening as more inaugural services are on the horizon,” Minister Bartlett added. Over the next few months, Connecticut and Denver, among others, will be added to the list of new air services to Jamaica.
“Jamaica is buzzing. Summer has been one of our peak seasons, and I am happy to see that we will soon be returning to pre-pandemic arrival numbers,” noted Odette Dyer, Regional Director, Jamaica Tourist Board. “All the strategies and plans have been carefully orchestrated and we are seeing the fruits of our labor. It is always a delight to see on the passengers’ faces when they get here, and the strains of the Mento Band add the unique Jamaican touch.”
This increased appeal of destination Jamaica has served to bolster the island’s recovery, “Jamaica has come out of this period of difficulty so much better than most of the world, and in terms of our economic recovery, we are ahead of the Caribbean,” noted Minister Bartlett.
About The Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.
In 2021, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ for the second consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 14th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 16th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Best Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.’ In addition, Jamaica was awarded four gold 2021 Travvy Awards, including ‘Best Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination –Caribbean,’ Best Travel Agent Academy Program,’; as well as a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 10th time. In 2020, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the 2020 ‘Destination of the Year for Sustainable Tourism’. In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.
