Canadian Visits to Jamaica Bounce Back

After a significant decrease in Canadian arrivals to Jamaica in 2016, visits from Canada to the island nation have bounced back.

During a visit to Toronto last night (Sept. 21) Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told the crowd the decline has been reversed with a solid 8% growth.

“Canada has become the real ogling growth centre for tourism to Jamaica over the last 12 months. In terms of straight growth, there is no market, over the last 12 months, that has grown faster than Canada,” he said. “12 months ago, Canada was down 17%.”

Describing the US and Canada as “the bread and butter” for tourism to the Caribbean country, he said Canada is the second top source market for Jamaica, and plans for the destination’s ambitious target of reaching the 500,000 Canadian visitor mark by 2021 are moving full speed ahead.

In addition to sun, sand and sea, he says Jamaica boasts a few more “s” attributes, as a safe and secure destination providing visitors with a seamless vacation experience.

With a focus on supporting its five pillars of growth – new products, markets, investments, partnerships, and renewal of human capital – Bartlett said plans are underway to add some 15,000 rooms to the hotel stock as well as an indefinite amount of attractions over the next few years.

Pictured at the dinner held at the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre are (l) Bartlett and (r) Philip Rose, Regional Director, Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board.