By Tangerine Clarke
More than 4,000 passengers
arrived on the sland of Jamaica,
the highest daily arrival
count since the reopening of
borders on June 15, according
to the Jamaica Tourist Board,
that expressed cautious optimism
as the season peaks.
British Airways’ service from
London Gatwick to Montego
boosts the air service with 312
passengers and crew, on its
inaugural flight to the island.
The service will operate twiceweekly
flights on Tuesdays and
Saturdays until April 2021.
According to JTB, between
Nov. 1-28, Jamaica welcomed
more than 65,000 tourists,
which is an increase over the
previous month’s approximately
58,000 passengers.
Since June 15 when the country
reopened its borders, some
398,864 visitors have traveled
to the island.
Donovan White, Jamaica’s
director of tourism, said, “We
are happy to welcome the
return of British Airways to
Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) in conversation
with British High Commissioner to Jamaica Asif Ahmad
(centre) and Diane Corrie of British Airways following the
return of British Airways service from London at the Sangster
International Airport. Jamaica Tourist Board
Montego Bay for the winter
season, adding to their current
service to Kingston.”
“The increased capacity, in
addition to our series of travel
agent familiarization tours,
will serve to boost our arrivals
and demonstrate an increased
interest in Jamaica. We hope
these increasing numbers
are an indication of the trend
going forward as we continue
our robust marketing and promotion
efforts,” he said.
Last month, the Jamaica
Tourist Board resumed on-island
‘fam tours’ to ensure that
travel specialists are equipped
to share updates on the destination
Caribbean Life, D 22 ECEMBER 25-31, 2020
with their customers
and boost business. Over the
past few weeks, travel specialists
have reported an increase
in inquiries and are confident
that interest will remain high
for Jamaica.
Claire Robinson, owner of
Claire Skies Travel and one of
the JTB’s Top 50 agents, recently
participated in a Northeast
Luxury Fam, reiterated the fact
that Jamaica remains popular,
adding that she was part of a
full flight to Montego Bay from
Baltimore. “It caught me totally
by surprise as this period
is between Thanksgiving and
Christmas,” she said.
Vincy group celebrates
International Migrants Day
By Nelson A. King
In commemorating International
Migrants Day 2020, the
Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and
the Grenadines Diaspora Committee
of New York, Inc. says
2020 has been a year “like no
other,” stating that it has been a
year defined by “enormous global
health and economic challenges
that have shook the very
fabric of our societies.”
“Few people have escaped the
difficulties and losses brought
about by the global coronavirus
pandemic,” said committee
chairperson, Sherrill-Ann
Mason-Haywood, in a statement
on Friday, marking International
Migrants Day that is celebrated
on Dec. 18 annually.
“Many persons, including
Vincentians, who reside in cities
like New York have suffered the
loss of loved ones, livelihoods,
secure housing, food and basic
freedoms, such as the ability to
travel or assemble,” she added.
“Some of the effects are likely
to extend well beyond the places
where these immigrants live, as
job losses may directly impact
the ability to send home muchneeded
remittances upon which
many families rely.
“Still, others have had to face
the uncertainties of the pandemic
with bravery, as their employment
as ‘frontline or essential
workers’ put them in the direct
line of potential danger,” Mason-
Haywood continued. “Many
immigrant workers, including
many Vincentians in the Diaspora,
are counted among those
who work in these essential
professions, such as healthcare,
transit and domestic work.
She noted that many immigrant
communities have been
among the hardest hit by the
COVID-19 pandemic, stating
that Vincentians, like many
other Caribbean immigrants,
have been among them.
“The SVG (St. Vincent and
the Grenadines) Diaspora Committee
sympathizes with Vincentians
who have lost their
loved ones during this pandemic,”
Mason-Haywood said. “Additionally,
prolonged months of
isolation and separation from
loved ones also threaten to cause
a rise in mental health challenges.”
Jamaica records
increase tourist
arrivals
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