Jamaica has been described as a “tourism hotspot for the future” by Tui Travel chief Peter Long following a meeting with the island’s prime minister.
The travel group’s chief executive met Portia Simpson-Miller as part of a trip to the island to mark the opening of the latest Sensatori resort.
Long discussed with her the role of Tui Travel in the future of Jamaica’s tourism.
Capacity from the UK will rise by 40% this summer followed by 140% growth in the winter.
Thomson Airways – which operates more flights to Jamaica than any other European airline – will have doubled capacity to Jamaica over three years by summer 2015, while Tui Nordic will also double capacity to Jamaica for the winter.
Thomson started operating the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Jamaica last year
The growth is driven largely by increased numbers of holidaymakers taking ‘unique’ holidays. Around 90% of UK and Nordic customers who travel to Jamaica this year with the group will stay in a ‘unique’ hotel, such as the Sensatori.
The property, owned by Karisma Hotels & Resorts and operated by Thomson, is the sixth Sensatori to be opened worldwide.
Thomson Dream will be become the only cruise ship to be based in Montego Bay for the winter from December.
Long said: “I am delighted to be back in Jamaica again. We have very strong relationships with the government and the tourism board here, and it has been a pleasure to work with them over recent years.
“We are fully committed to supporting the development of travel and tourism in Jamaica; it is a beautiful destination with fantastic surroundings not to mention a rich and vibrant culture. For Tui Travel, it is a tourism hotspot of the future.”