Jamaica Eyes 20,000 French Visitors by 2021

Last updated on 21 June 2019

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism, Donovan White, have pledged Jamaica’s commitment to grow the French market setting the goal of reaching 20,000 visitor arrivals by 2021, making France the second largest market in Continental Europe.

Speaking at a special reception for travel agents and tour operators in Paris, Minister Bartlett further announced plans for a mega familiarization tour for 250 French travel agents and tour operators as well as working to launch a direct flight from Paris to Montego Bay by the winter season 2020.

Additionally, Minister Bartlett highlighted Jamaica’s strategy of creating of a multi-destination marketing partnership with Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. With Jamaica, these countries represent the four major markets in the Caribbean which is a good opportunity for collaboration to increase arrivals from long-haul travellers.

Earlier this week, Minister Bartlett and Director White met with Promovacances, France’s second largest tour operator, which rolled out a Jamaica programme earlier this year. Through their online and marketing campaigns promoting travel to Jamaica, they are looking to increase their bookings to Jamaica by 20% by 2021. Promovacances is the flagship brand of Karavel Group, the leading French online travel agency, receiving over four million unique monthly visitors. In addition, they operate over 100 travel agencies with 450 travel agents throughout France.

The Jamaica delegation also met with Olivier Kervella, President of NG Travel, which offers a wide selection of packages to nearly 30 destinations for travellers seeking quality and genuine cultural experience. NG Travel is currently marketing Jamaica in France through two of their brands, Directours.com and KappaClub.

Additionally, Maureen Lachant, Business Development Manager from Les Maisons du Voyage, an upscale tour operator offering tailor-made and cultural stays, met with Minister Bartlett and Director White. Part of Groupe Figaro, Les Maisons du Voyage provides tour operator services to approximately 140,000 customers per year with an average price point of € 2,500 per person.

Leveraging the historic debut of the Reggae Girlz in France for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Minister Bartlett and Director White are in Paris this week to meet with tourism industry partners as well as to lend support to the team.