Jamaica prepares for winter tourism season with 400,000 airline seats from Canada
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the island is using its hurricane recovery to improve infrastructure and visitor experiences.
TORONTO · Jamaia has scheduled about 400,000 airline seats from Canada for the upcoming winter travel season as it recovers from Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced the figure during an address to 300 travel advisers and industry stakeholders in Toronto. He said converting that flight capacity into actual visitors will depend on partnerships with Canadian travel advisers, tour operators and airlines. This push is intended to restore traveler confidence and aid tourism-dependent communities across the island.
Bartlett told the audience that their role is central to filling flights and generating bookings. He expressed gratitude for the support from the Canadian travel trade, stating that Jamaica's recovery is being driven by its people and international partners. "Melissa was able to bend us, but it could not break us. We are not bouncing back; we are bouncing forward," Bartlett said. He framed the ongoing restoration of hotels and attractions as a chance to upgrade facilities and tackle persistent infrastructure issues.
The minister outlined several infrastructure projects aimed at improving the visitor experience. These include enhancing north coast roads to reduce traffic between Ocho Rios and Sangster International Airport. The government is also planning new aviation facilities near Little London and Vernamfield, alongside an airstrip in the Treasure Beach area. Upgrades at the country's international airports are also planned to boost capacity and streamline passenger flow. Bartlett identified faster airport processing as another priority, with plans to implement digital and biometric systems to cut wait times. Director of Tourism Donovan White said the focus remains on delivering strong experiences while constructing a more resilient destination. Angella Bennett, the Jamaica Tourist Board's regional director for Canada, praised Canadian travel advisers as "invaluable partners" whose efforts can boost winter bookings and spread tourism's economic benefits more widely.
With files from South Florida Caribbean News