Derrick A. Scott, Gleaner Writer
Passengers disembark the inaugural flight of Spirit Airlines at the Kingston welcome ceremony at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ATLANTA, Georgia:
JAMAICA'S TOURIST industry has recorded a near seven per cent increase in visitor arrivals from the Southern United States over the past nine months.
A total of 222,601 visitors arrived in Jamaica between January and September of this year, compared to 208,482 visitors for the same period last year.
According to Frank Bronstorph, the Jamaica Tourist Board's district sales manager for the Southern U.S., based in Atlanta, Georgia, the increase in tourist arrivals is a tremendous boost to the tourism industry and Jamaica's economy.
He said based on the hard work that was done in promoting Jamaica as a premier tourist destination throughout the 11 states that comprise the Southern U.S., Jamaica has reaped the full benefit. Bronstorph noted that the 6.8 per cent increase is a particularly important figure, because it occurred during the most active hurricane season on record.
BOOKINGS IMPRESSIVE
Mr. Bronstorph revealed that the bookings for the winter tourist season out of the Southern U.S. were very impressive and he believes that the country will surpass last year's figures.
In an exclusive interview with The Gleaner the JTB's district sales manager said a number of airlines flew from the South to Jamaica, which added greatly to the increase over the period. He noted that as of yesterday, Spirit Airlines began flying to Jamaica. He said discussions were taking place with Air Jamaica in a bid to increase the number of flights out of Atlanta.
