British Airways and Thomson Airways have announced additional flights to Jamaica, as figures reveal that the number of British and Irish holidaymakers visiting the island has increased by nearly a third (31%), in the last three years.
Thomson’s additional flights will include a third weekly flight from Manchester and a fourth from London Gatwick this winter (November – April) and will also introduce service from London Stansted in summer 2017 (May –October).
British Airways will add a fourth weekly flight from London Gatwick to Kingston in summer of 2017 (April to October) and flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The UK & Ireland is now Jamaica’s third biggest market, with 201,364 people visiting in 2015.
Thomson continues to invest heavily with their resorts and cruises in Jamaica and similarly, Karisma Hotels & Resorts is investing in a US$1 billion mega-hotel project development .
Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, says: “We’re thrilled that even more flights will be coming from the UK and Ireland to Jamaica. The airlines clearly feel that there is strong demand for what Jamaica has to offer and we’ll continue working hard at creating a ‘best in class’ product for holidaymakers, and in building strong relationships with our partners.”
While many British and Irish visitors are already aware of what Jamaica has to offer to its guests, Mr Pennicook attributed some of the destinations success to constantly looking at innovating and improving what services and attractions are available to visitors and spoke of the development of ‘artisan villages’ that would tap into the trends for eco-tourism and sustainability and a new hospitality school.
