Tourism: "Jet Jam;" Cold Northern Weather Brings Rich and Famous to Montego Bay

-Jamaica Observer

Jamaica, long a haven for many of the world's elite, saw large numbers of high-echelon and high net-worth individuals flying into the western capital of Montego Bay as icy wintes drove pleasure-seekers to the sun, sea and sand

Last year, Prince Harry and his fiance, actress Meghan Markle, and dozens of Britain's elite vacationed at Round Hill for the wedding of Tom “Skippy” Inskip, a close friend of the prince.

Rafael Echevarne, chief executive officer of MBJ Airports Limited, operators of

Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport, confirmed that from December 23 to December 31 a total of 60 private jets were accommodated at the airport.

“December 26 recorded the highest number with a total of 18 private jets accommodated. The place was absolutely full,” Echevarne stressed.

Senior advisor and strategist to the tourism ministry, Delano Seiveright, highlighted that the growing market for wealthy and celebrity tourists enhances Jamaica's tourism product.

“Their endorsement of the destination with friends and through their social media posts is worth a whole lot and opens the doors for a variety of intersections through linkages. You would be surprised at the number of persons, ranging from housekeeper and gardeners to beverage suppliers and ground transportation providers, who are engaged to provide services for these visitors. Their dollars spread far and wide,” Seiveright said.

Provisional data from the Jamaica Tourist Board show that a record 4.3 million tourists visited Jamaica in 2017. This, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, represents a 12.1 per cent increase over arrivals in 2016.