Jamaica Visitor Numbers Hit by Decreased Airlift, Mild East Coast Weather

Jamaica’s overnight visitor arrival numbers over the past nine months have been relatively flat, according to Wykeham McNeill, the country’s tourism minister, due to challenges ranging from decreased airlift to unusually warm weather in key North American markets.

Jamaica recorded 0.8 percent decrease in arrivals between May 2011 and January 31, McNeill said in his weekly meeting with the press in Kingston, Jamaica. Preliminary figures indicate overnight visitor arrivals for 2011 should increase 1.7 percent over 2010.

Other initiatives will include advertising and promotional programs directed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and focusing on New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The programs will run through March.