The Caribbean Tourist Organisation (CTO), the Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines are among the leading tourist boards and airlines who are attending the Routes 18th Development Forum taking place this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The 18th World Route Development Forum is the largest global event of its kind, determining the future of air services.

Some of the hot topics that will be debated and discussed among aviation leaders during the Routes Forum include included: taxation; rising oil prices; aeropolitics; environmental factors; sustainable route development; economic development; and, general regional perspectives on aviation and its potential for growth.

Jamaica’s visitor numbers have been up in recent months with a lot hotel and airline developments planned, so it is fitting that the popular Caribbean island has such a strong a presence at the leading Routes Forum, where they are exhibiting in the Caribbean lounge.

Things are also heating up on the aviation front with new routes expected from major source markets including the UK and the US.

“In terms of developments on the aviation front, Air Jamaica, operated by Caribbean Airlines carries a large amount of visitors from Jamaica and it is an important partner.” Hon Wykeham McNeill, tourism minister explains to Breaking Travel News.

“But certainly this year we will see an increase in our airlift from the US and the UK.”

“Virgin are putting on an extra flight to Montego Bay.

“TUI are adding additional capacity for the winter and British Airways are adding an extra flight to Kingston and they are adding extra services.” He added.

Running along side this airline development, major hotel chains are eyeing the destination.

“There’s a lot of interest in room development, we expect to see some new hotels coming to Jamaica,” explains Wykeham

“This year we expect a Courtyard Marriot to break ground in Kingston.  We have some other properties that are there - The Fiesta Group are going to be expanding their hotel by 850 rooms.

“The Riu is opening a Riu Palace in Montego Bay and the Sunwing Group have just taken over a property in Trilawny which they will re-brand, refurbish the 250 rooms and they are hoping to expand.”

“In all we are looking at close to 2000 rooms that are going to be under construction over the next two years so it’s looking very promising.

The Jamaica Tourist Board was named Caribbean’s Leading Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board and Caribbean’s Leading Sports Destination by the World Travel Awards in September 2012.

Meanwhile Caribbean Airlines was placed firmly into the limelight when it was named Caribbean’s Leading Airline during the ceremony in 2012.

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