Jamaica Rakes In US$2 Billion Via Tourism In First 8 Months Of 2017
Big Bucks From Tourism!
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica raked in a record US$2 Billion during the first eight months of this calendar year from 2.8 million visitors.
This represents an 8.3 percent increase in gross foreign exchange earnings when compared to the US$1.83 billion earned over the corresponding period in 2016. Cruise passenger arrivals also soared by 5.1 percent over the same period.
“My mission is to enhance the retention of the dollar from this US$2 Billion. In fact, the latest report from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates that the retention of the dollar, from the consumption side has risen to 70 percent.
“The Tourism Linkages Council is going to drive that value added that is needed to take the retention levels in Jamaica from 30 cents to at least 50 cents, for the total dollar that is spent,” Bartlett added.
He made the disclosure while speaking at a press briefing to report on the year-old TEF/EXIM Bank Small Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTE) Loan Facility, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
Download The Jamaican Blogs™ App for your Android device: HERE
Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]