JAMAICA VOTED AMONG TOP TEN HOLIDAY DREAM ESCAPES FOR 2008 BY TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS

12-30-2008

 

NEW YORK, NY – December 30, 2008 – Jamaica has been voted among the Top Ten Holiday Dream Escapes, according to TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community in its December holiday travel survey.   Jamaica ranks #7, ahead of Rome (#8) and the Bahamas (#9) with Tahiti completing the Top Ten.  Of the more than 1,800 travelers surveyed, Hawaii was voted the #1 Holiday Dream Escape. 

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch believes this underscores the popularity of Jamaica as a great vacation option. “We are excited that the travelers of TripAdvisor have selected Jamaica.   The honor is especially important as it is based on real travelers’ experiences. We hope that more people will visit our wonderful destination to experience first-hand the amazing offerings because as we say Jamaica…Once You Go, You Know.”

“Even though the majority of travelers visit family for the holidays, we all like to imagine where we could go to escape the stress and pressure of the season, whether it be a warm, tropical locale or a historically rich European city,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “In the case of Jamaica, travelers clearly realize what an exceptional place it is to escape to over the holidays. “

Despite the global economic downturn, Jamaica remains a popular destination with over 70,000 visitors passing through the tourism capital’s airport during the first three weeks of December.  Overall arrivals at the island’s two international airports were up by 7.3 percent over the previous year.

Tourism officials are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for the island’s tourist industry which continues on a path towards diversifying its product in an effort to meet the needs of more visitors.   This strategy has led to significant investment being made in the island’s airports, hotels and attractions sectors.  The island’s room stock has also increased at a rapid rate over the last three years.

In the face of declining overseas travel, it is reassuring to know that the Jamaica brand still manages to capture the imagination of travelers worldwide.

About the Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 2006 and 2007, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo. 

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).

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