The Midlands region will soon, for the first time, be able to service visitors to Jamaica with two direct flights into Montego Bay. The two new flights will be operated by Airtours starting this summer, and Thomsonfly starting next year in May. The new flights will mean a potential 9,000 extra visitors to the island.

From May 5 to 20 October 2008, Thomsonfly will operate a weekly charter service from Birmingham International Airport.  The flights are scheduled to depart from the UK on Mondays at 09.45 and return to the UK on Tuesdays at 06.25.

This year, from the 18 July, Airtours will begin a direct service from East Midlands Airport to Montego Bay that will run for 8 weeks in the summer.  Flights are scheduled to depart from the UK on Wednesdays at 09.30 and return to the UK on Thursdays at 06.40.

 

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s Regional Director, UK/ N. Europe, Elizabeth Fox said:

‘These flights are a direct response to increased demand from the consumer for direct departures from regional airports.  The Midlands has traditionally always had a strong connection to Jamaica and boasts a vibrant Jamaican community.  These extra flights are good news for Jamaicans living in the Midlands who travel regularly to the island for business and to visit relatives, for holidaying Brits and for Jamaica’s tourist industry.’

 

Jamaica’s tourist infrastructure is booming with a predicted 10,000 extra rooms on the island by 2012. Visitors have a choice of a whole range of quality accommodation from affordable B&Bs run by families to super deluxe resorts catering to the visitor’s every need. Jamaica is not considered a ‘fly and flop’ destination and offers visitors a total range of activities and attractions. The island’s beautiful waterfalls, hiking, horse riding, river rafting, musical heritage and flavoursome cuisine provide visitors with the opportunity to get under the skin of Jamaica, a chance to meet the people and return having had an authentic and enriching experience.

 

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be supporting the new flights with dedicated industry activity in the region.  From June 18-22, representatives from the JTB will accompany hoteliers on sales-calls, there will be travel agent evenings where agents can learn about the country and sample some authentic Jamaican cuisine and a series of familiarisation trips for agents in June and September this year.
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