WHY IT RATES: Jamaica is experiencing record-breaking numbers but the nation's tourism sector isn't resting on its laurels.-Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
The 29th annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) concluded another strong year, welcoming delegates from the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe-a significant increase from last year's global buyer registration. Hosted over two days at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the annual trade show and conference successfully connected visiting buyers with 91 supplier companies, represented by 220 delegates, through more than 1,000 business appointments.
"Jamaica is experiencing record-breaking numbers, undergoing major developments, and receiving global recognition like never before," said Director of Tourism Donovan White. "Tourism is our largest earner of foreign exchange and second-largest employer of our human capital, and we are proud to share that the industry is once again poised to achieve year on year growth in arrivals and earnings."
In addition to sharing the 9.1 percent growth as of August 2019, Director White highlighted that the destination has achieved revenues of $2.39 billion, representing a 12 percent growth in earnings. Projections forecast an uptick in stopover arrivals of 7 percent for the final quarter of the year, bringing 2019 to a total of 2.68 million arrivals.
The Jamaica Tourist Board announced a further commitment to existing key markets such as New York and Detroit with the addition of daily direct routes by American Airlines and Delta Airlines into Montego Bay. Other airlift additions include increases from Manchester, UK; Moscow, Russia and Lima, Peru.
Below is a roundup of new developments in the sector:
-AC Hotel by Marriott in Kingston opened its doors in June as the newest lifestyle hotel in Jamaica, adding 219 rooms to the overall inventory in the capital city. The property is situated on six acres within the city's golden triangle, catering to business and leisure travelers.
-In Port Antonio, the Geejam Collection is launching 12 new 550-square-foot rooms as part of its latest development plan. The Marumba Studios, slated to open late this year, will feature a modern creative design, boasting views of the surrounding rainforest and crystal blue sea.
-RIU Ocho Rios will reopen to the public this month after a complete refurbishment of its 790 rooms, and the addition of 45 new family rooms.
-In Trelawny, the all-new Oceans by H10 will offer 1,000 rooms, with 500 of those slated to debut this November.
-The Government of Jamaica finalized the sale of land in Salem, St. Ann for the hotel developers from Karisma to begin the construction of 3,000 rooms in several phases, beginning with 700 later this year.
-Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay is expanding infrastructure improvements which include a new design theme, the addition of 25,800 square feet to the departure terminal and upgrades to the commercial area with a renewed focus on Jamaican specialty products and artisan goods.
-In August, Jamaica launched an online version of the Immigration and Customs Declaration form for arriving visitors at the island's international airports. The new online format allows passengers to be processed more seamlessly, leading to a reduction in wait times at both immigration and customs.
For more information on traveling to Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com.
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