Peter Long, chief executive of TUI Travel, has met with Portia Simpson-Miller, prime minister of Jamaica, earlier while on a trip to the island to celebrate the opening of the Sensatori Jamaica resort, and discussed with her the role of TUI Travel in the future of Jamaica’s tourism.

Thomson, part of TUI UK & Ireland, now operates more flights to Jamaica than any other European Airline.

Capacity for the UK market this summer will see 40 per cent growth on the island, and this winter will see growth in capacity of 140 per cent.

By summer 2015, Thomson Airways will have doubled capacity to Jamaica over three years, while TUI Nordic will also double capacity to Jamaica for the winter 2014 season compared to winter 2013.

This growth is driven largely by the growth in unique holidays.

Around 90 per cent of UK and Nordic customers who travel to Jamaica this year with TUI Travel will stay in a ‘unique’ hotel, one that is only available through TUI Travel.

The Sensatori resort in Jamaica, owned by Karisma Hotels & Resorts and operated by Thomson, is one of these, and it is only the sixth Sensatori to be opened worldwide.

Jamaica has become a more accessible destination for TUI Travel customers due to the operation of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which started last year.

Thomson Airways was the first commercial airline in the UK to fly the aircraft; four are now in service and a further 11 on order across the group’s chartered airlines: Thomson Airways, Jetairfly, TUIfly, TUIflyNordic and Arkefly.

In December 2014, the Thomson Dream will be stationed in Montego Bay, the only UK cruise liner to be based there for the Winter season, while customers on board will be offered a range of accommodation options with Sensatori Jamaica should they wish.

The marketing campaign for the cruise offering featured Jamaica’s Johan Blake, AKA ‘The Beast’, one of the world’s fastest men.

Long said: “I am delighted to be back in Jamaica again.

“We have very strong relationships with the Government and the Tourism Board here, and it has been a pleasure to work with them over recent years.

“We are fully committed to supporting the development of travel and tourism in Jamaica; it is a beautiful destination with fantastic surroundings not to mention a rich and vibrant culture.

“For TUI Travel, it is a tourism hotspot of the future.”