Bartlett projects doubling Latin American tourist arrivals by 2021

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett is projecting a near doubling of Latin American tourists visiting Jamaica by 2021 to about 60,000.

This follows a series of engagements with senior executives of Latam and Copa, the two leading airlines in Argentina and Chile. 

Bartlett said starting July, Copa will start having daily service to Montego Bay from Panama City while Latam will operate close to multiple weekly flights to the western city from Lima, Peru.

"This will ease travel for many vacationers from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and several other markets," Bartlett said.

Bartlett and his delegation are in the region meeting with large tour operators; leaders of travel focused TV, Radio, print and online media; Government officials and influential travel agents.

Several major hotel chains with operations in Jamaica are participating in the tour.  

The Tourism Ministry says Argentina and Chile account for the bulk of tourist arrivals from Latin America.

Approximately 10,000 tourists from both countries visit Jamaica each year.

However, the ministry says the lack of adequate cost effective and seamless air connectivity has hindered efforts to attract more tourists from South America to Jamaica.

Bartlett returns to the island on Thursday.

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