In a meeting yesterday, led by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, and his senior tourism executives, along with the airline’s executives, confirmed that Jamaica was in high demand in some of their key states in the US.
“As part of our efforts to reengage our major airline partners and strengthen our relationships, we met with senior executives from JetBlue to look at strategic ways of improving our arrivals figures out of the US. It is good to know that Jamaica remains high on the list of destinations that JetBlue customers want to visit,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.
Headquartered in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York City, JetBlue operates over 1,000 flights daily and serves 100 domestic and international network destinations in the Americas and Europe.
“Jamaica remains one of the most connected destinations in the Caribbean and this has been a strategic and deliberate effort to ensure growth in our arrivals and earnings.”
“Airlift is therefore critical to supporting our growth strategy and we are working to secure more seats for the destination,” added the Minister.
The meeting, held yesterday at the JetBlue office in New York, forms part of the Minister’s mega multi city marketing blitz in the US which will take him across New York, Chicago in Illinois and Dallas, Texas.
“JetBlue has been a trusted partner, and we look forward to this continued partnership that will enable us to increase arrivals,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.
Some of the key markets in JetBlue’s routes cited for high demand for Jamaica include Boston, Fort Lauderdale and New York.
The Minister and his senior tourism executives are set to meet with United and Southwest Airlines later this week.
ABOUT JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.
In 2023, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fourth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it named “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” for the 15th consecutive year, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” for the 17th consecutive year, and the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” in the World Travel Awards – Caribbean.’ In addition, Jamaica was awarded six gold 2023 Travvy Awards, including ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ and ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ as well as two silver Travvy Awards for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall.’’ It also received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time. TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica the #7 Best Honeymoon Destination in the World and the #19 Best Culinary Destination in the World for 2024. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition and the destination is routinely ranked among the best to visit globally by prestigious international publications.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.
