Dionne Rose, Business Reporter

Even with rising oil prices and the slowdown in the United States economy, preliminary figures on tourist arrivals are showing an increase in business, said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

"Today, the preliminary estimates for arrivals in Jamaica have reached one million," Bartlett said Tuesday night.

"This is the middle of the year, and we have achieved one million arrivals, quite in line with our target for two million this year."

tracked monthly

Jamaica's tourist arrivals, which are tracked monthly, have climbed consistently through January to May, Bartlett said, while giving a lecture at the opening of the conference on 'Cuba and its Neighour', organised by think tank CaPRI, at the university of the West Indies.

In January, tourist arrivals grew by 10.1 per cent compared to the same period last year, while business from the United States was up by six per cent.

In February, the figures rose by 18 per cent compared to the same period last year, while the figures from the US increased by 17 per cent .

The minister said there was a similar trend in March, with 12 per cent more business overall, with a little over 10 per cent from the US.

Bartlett, however, said the growth slowed in April - representing 1.1 per cent over the last year with a similar growth of 1.1 per cent from the US - but the market regained its vibrancy in the following month.

"In May, we saw a new growth spurt, with 141,236 total arrivals up by seven per cent and even from the US, we had 97,718 visitors, up by 4.7 per cent," said the minister.

"June was also strong, I know, but final figures are still being gathered; and bookings for the shoulder season for July-August are looking very healthy."

While acknowledging that Americans have moderated their spending, out of fear of a recession and escalating consumer prices, Bartlett said the latest research findings indicate that travel was not among the areas where persons were minimising discretionary spending.

"Some 59 per cent of Americans still plan to take a trip in the next six months that takes place at least 100 miles away from their home, a number only slightly below the 61 per cent average that was last year," said Bartlett.

"And vacations, therefore, are still happening with altered plans and to destinations closer to home."

The US is Jamaica's chief market for tourists, accounting for more than 70 per cent of travellers to this country.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com