Jamaica is looking for serious sustained growth over the next five years, according to Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett.

The Minister, who said the country’s summer tourist season had enjoyed an auspicious start, said the country was targeting growth at a minimum of five percent per year for the next five years, beginning in 2017.

That will hinge on strong growth out of the US market, although even 5 percent growth will lag that of Jamaica’s top competitors like the Dominican Republic.

“The US market continues to grow and the summer projections are pretty strong. In fact, the winter looks pretty strong and so we are keeping our fingers crossed that everything continues the way it is, as we are determined to get to that five per cent growth,” Bartlett said.

“This is our growth market… this is our largest market and, of course, the most significant market for us,” he said.

— Caribbean Journal staff

The post Jamaica Has Big Tourism Growth Plans appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Grenada is reporting very strong growth out of the United States tourism source market, according to new figures released this week.

Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell reported in a national address that Grenada had seen a 32 percent increase in arrivals out of the US market.

The country also saw an overall increase in cruise ship arrivals of 35 percent.

Grenada has been seeing increased tourism in recent years, led by two major factors: the entry of JetBlue to the aviation sector and the addition of the new Sandals resort.

That tourism growth will help the country grow by an expected 3 percent this year, Mitchell said, although that represents a slowdown from the country’s 5 percent GDP growth last year.

— CJ Staff

The post Grenada Seeing Big Growth in US Tourist Arrivals appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There are more than 300 islands and cays in the Exuma archipelago in the Bahamas, meaning you can take a boat and find your own private island for the day. Like, for instance, Channel Cay. Here’s what it’s like to take a walk on the beach there.

The post VIDEO: Channel Cay, Exuma appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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There are places like this all over the Exumas in the Bahamas, hidden little cays with deserted beaches and absolute tranquility.

It’s a chain of islands that make exotic, breathtaking beauty easy to find.

One such scenic sanctuary is Horse Cay, a tiny islet with turquoise waters and the luxury of total silence.

It’s best reached by taking a bonefish charter with an operator like JJ Allan Dames (more info here: http://www.exumabonefishing.com)

Here’s what it’s like:

The post VIDEO: The Beauty of Horse Cay, Exuma appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Dutch Caribbean-based regional air carrier InselAir has announced upgrades to its flights from Curaçao to Baranquilla in Colombia.

The company has begun operating the route using a new jet that will cut the flight time to just 80 minutes.

From Barranquilla, travelers can easily access other popular cities in Colombia like Cartagena and Santa Martha.

The company is also shifting its Barranquilla flight schedule from Tuesdays and Fridays to Mondays and Thursdays.

“From Curaçao, InselAir will offer a comfortable and shorter flight to the metropolitan city of Barranquilla, capital of the Atlántico Department, north of Colombia and situated near the Caribbean Sea. Barranquilla, the 4th largest city of Colombia, has a lot to offer as it is known as the main industrial and cultural centre of this region,” said Jurgen Lippinkhof, Chief Commercial Officer of InselAir.

Barranquilla has been quietly seeing an increase in tourism, with a slate of new hotels and brands (like the Four Points by Sheraton, above).

The post InselAir Is Upgrading Its Colombia Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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