Record arrival in July

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has said the highest number of visitors for any July was recorded this year, totalling 211,000.

The minister said the figure did not include nationals of Jamaica.

Bartlett said July's performance is a clear indication of the outstanding performance of the tourism sector during this summer, and that Jamaica remains on track for record arrivals and earning figures for the calendar year.

"It indicates that this is the strongest summer that we will have. It also means that we are on track to top the US$2.5 billion that was earned last year and to host nearly four million visitors this year," the minister said.

He pointed out that very strong marketing and new strategies for the promotion of Jamaica as a preferred destination are some of the reasons for the country's good showing, especially during July.

The minister noted that Jamaica's air connectivity is the driving force behind the country doing very well in arrivals at this time.

"The marketing has been strong and the destination is a powerful destination ... but our air connectivity is a central part of the increase in our arrivals," he said.