Jamaica has seen a continued increase in visitor numbers during its high season, attracting seven per cent more holidaymakers when compared to the previous year.

Numbers include a 5.6 per cent jump in stopover visitors and 9.6 per cent growth in cruise passengers, between December 15th and April 15th.

In total Jamaica welcomed 743,776 stopover visitors and 398,772 cruise ship passengers.

According to tourism minister Edmund Bartlett the numbers exceeded original forecasts made earlier this year of a four-to-five per cent upswing during the winter season.

Last year Jamaica was recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Destination by the prestigious World Travel Awards.