Jamaica — pointing out its geographic position poised to become the strategic hub to the Caribbean and America from Asia and the Middle East — is concentrating on the growing Chinese market.
Last year, the country had 1.7 million stay-over visitors and almost the same number of cruise passengers.
“This growth is of significance as it has signaled growth in some non-traditional or emerging markets to which China has increasingly made a significant contribution,†according to a news release.
Chinese arrivals to Jamaica grew 10.3% in 2007 over 2006. Tourism officials expect the trend to continue.
“This expectation is consistent with the World Tourism Organization projection of Chinese outbound tourism numbers being over 100 million in 2015,†according to Jamaica officials.
Jamaica welcomed 142,861 visitors in the first month of this year, an increase of more than 10% over January of last year.
“China is a market of great importance to Jamaica, and we will continue to work to strengthen the ties between our two countries,†said Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.
Report by David Wilkening
