Jamaican officials launch campaign to reverse tourism decline
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Jamaican officials plan to open a tourism training school as part of a campaign to reverse a downturn in visitors to the Caribbean island, including from the key U.S. market.
"The (tourism) industry has been on a dangerous, downwards spiral over the last six months," newly appointed Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said in a statement.
Jamaica has seen a 12 percent drop this year in visitors from the United States, which accounts for the bulk of the island's tourism.
Other Caribbean islands are reporting similar slumps, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Experts have cited new passport rules and a sluggish U.S. economy as possible explanations.
Despite the overall decrease in Caribbean tourism, a recent survey of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates - http://www.carlsontravel.com - named Caribbean cruises as the No. 1 international destination for Carlson customers.
Cancun, Mexico, was No. 2 on Carlson's list, followed by Rome, Mexico's Riviera Maya, and Mediterranean cruises.
While 50 percent of those surveyed said their Caribbean bookings were up this year compared to last year, 18 percent said they were down, and 32 percent said they were even.
Carlson spokesman Steve Loucks said affordable pricing for Caribbean cruises, resulting from competition among the cruise lines for passengers, "is the prevailing reason why Carlson associates may have seen an increase to the region."
Among those agents who reported fewer Caribbean bookings, two-thirds said they thought new passport requirements had contributed to the decline. Other reasons cited were prices, a sense that travelers are "looking for something new and different" (including vacations that are more "exotic" or "active" than a stay at the beach), hurricane threats, and an increase in European bookings.
The survey was conducted July 24-Aug. 17 among 390 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate agents, owners and managers.
Meanwhile, if you're looking for a deal on a trip to Jamaica before the holidays, Air Jamaica, in conjunction with the Jamaica Tourist Board, is running a fall sale through Oct. 5, for discount airfare and hotel stays through Dec. 14.
Participating hotels and resorts include Couples Resorts, Holiday Inn, Sandals resorts, Sunset Resorts and many more. Travelers can save up to 50 percent off their tickets, with a minimum stay of two nights and maximum stay of 14 nights, the airline said. Blackout dates are Nov. 20-21 and Nov. 24-26.
Details at http://www.visitjamaica.com/promo or call 800-526-2422. Air Jamaica flies to the island from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, Philadelphia and Toronto.