Speaking at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) this morning (December 15), the Hon. Minister Bartlett said: “It is going to be the biggest winter tourist season in the history of Jamaica. We have already secured 1.5 million seats across the markets of the world and assuming a very low 75% load factor from the airlines coming in we will be in excess of one million stopover arrivals for the season.”

Furthermore, Shane Munroe, Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports, which manages the facility, said SIA was expected to reach the milestone of 5 million passengers passing through it in one year for the first time.

Minister Bartlett said consideration was being given to the implications of the boom in terms of revenue flows into the country, secured jobs and growth in the economy as:

“The tourism industry continues to be at the forefront of that with 10 consecutive quarters of growth.”

The start of the traditional winter tourist season was also marked by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) expressing thanks to all categories of workers at the SIA with an appreciation breakfast and the presentation of awards.

The Jamaica Tourist Board Chairman’s Award for exemplary service was presented to Tracey Ann Patterson, while other recipients included Shelly Ann Fung King, who was awarded for her outstanding contribution; MBJ Airports was recognized for its 20th year as concessionaire for the airport and Port Security was also singled out its outstanding service.