JTB Reports 37.7 Percent Increase in Canadian Arrivals this January

The Jamaica Tourist Board is reporting a 37.7 percent increase in Canadian tourist arrivals in January 2009 as compared to the same time period in 2008. A total of 39,960 total stopover arrivals from Canada visited Jamaica in the first month of the year.

“This is a very exciting start to the year for Jamaica as Canadians seem to be embracing the destination with open arms,” says Sandra Scott, Regional Director Canada, Jamaica Tourist Board. “We anticipate Jamaica will continue to see record numbers from Canada this winter because of the tremendous support from Canadian travel agents and tour operators.”

Jamaica saw the sharpest increase from British Columbia, a direct result of direct flights from Vancouver to Montego Bay. The province provided an 86.7 percent increase, 2,563 visitors, more than the same period in 2008 which received 1,373 visitors.

Jamaica’s strongest number of visitors came from Ontario with 21,245 visitors, a 28.6 percent increase; Quebec with 7,676 visitors, a 67.6 percent increase; and Alberta with 4,126 visitors, and a 31.2 percent increase.

Source: CaribbeanNewsDigital