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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, plans to work with global airlines like Emirates and Saudi Airlines to expand the country’s tourism markets.
Emirates Airline, based in Dubai, operates a vast network connecting over 150 destinations worldwide.
While there are no direct flights from Dubai to Jamaica at present, Emirates has begun offering tickets to Jamaican destinations such as Kingston and Montego Bay through partnerships and code-sharing agreements with other carriers. These routes typically involve connections via cities like New York (JFK), Newark, Boston, Orlando, and Milan (Malpensa), thereby opening gateways from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa to Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region.
Through strategic collaborations with airlines like Avianca, Copa Airlines, and Caribbean Airlines, Emirates is exploring options to expand its presence in the region.
The Jamaican government views this partnership as a significant opportunity to tap into the Middle Eastern market, potentially increasing visitor numbers and establishing Jamaica as a central hub for travelers between the Middle East and the Caribbean.
While these developments are promising, the establishment of direct flights or a full-fledged hub in Jamaica by Emirates will depend on further negotiations, market demand assessments, and logistical arrangements. As of now, travelers from the Middle East can reach Jamaica through Emirates’ partnered routes involving connections via other international airports.
Speaking at a recent Jamaica Tourist Board event, Ed Bartlett highlighted efforts to improve regional connections through carriers such as Bahamasair, Caribbean Airways, and Cayman Airways.
Jamaica is positioning itself as a Caribbean aviation hub, with enhanced air service agreements in the works.
For the winter tourist season starting December 15, Jamaica has added 178,000 new airline seats, with major increases from the U.S. (74,000), Canada (78,000), the U.K. (338), and the Caribbean (1,000+).
Minister Bartlett anticipates this will be Jamaica’s best winter season yet, with more than half of Norman Manley International Airport’s passengers being tourists.
Tourism in Jamaica may have been affected by the U.S. Department of State maintaining a Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, advising travelers to reconsider visiting due to crime.
The advisory highlights that violent crimes—including home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides—are common, even in areas frequented by tourists. It also notes that local police may not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
The government of Jamaica has hit back, claiming that such allegations are exaggerated.
Jamaica has also pointed out that most of the firearms in use in Jamaica have been exported illegally from the US.
Sources: Jamaica GIS, Jamaica Gleaner.
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