Jamaica to start tourism training school

26 September 2007

Jamaica is embarking on an ambitious campaign to promote tourism in the country, including starting a tourism training school.

The Caribbean island had of late witnessed a decline in tourist arrivals, including from the United States, which has been Jamaica’s key market.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said the tourism industry has been on “a dangerous, downward spiral over the last six months.”

The number of visitors from the United States dropped by 12% in 2007. The United States accounts for the bulk of the island’s tourism.

Other islands in the Caribbean too are reporting similar slumps, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Experts have cited new passport rules and a sluggish economy in the United States as possible explanations.

Despite the overall decrease in Caribbean tourism, a recent survey by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates named Caribbean cruises as the No. 1
international destination for Carlson customers.

Cancun, in Mexico, was No. 2 on Carlson’s list, followed by Rome, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and Mediterranean cruises.

While 50% of those surveyed said their Caribbean bookings were up in 2007 compared to 2006, 18% said they were down, and 32% said they were even.

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 from July 24, 2007, to August 17, 2007, among 390 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate agents, owners and managers.

Meanwhile, Air Jamaica, in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board, is running an autumn sale through October 5, 2007, for discount airfare and hotel stays through December 14, 2007.

Participating hotels and resorts include Couples Resorts, Holiday Inn, Sandals resorts, Sunset Resorts and many more. Travellers can save up to 50% off their tickets, with a minimum stay of two nights and maximum stay of 14 nights.

Air Jamaica flies to the island from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, Philadelphia and Toronto.