Above: the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica

Jamaica has secured just over one million airlift seats for the upcoming winter season, according to Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett.

That number is an increase of 5.6 percent over 2010, and a 4.7 percent increase over the winter of 2011, he said.

“This will allow us to bring in 769,385 visitors for the winter, which will be a five percent increase over the winter last year,” Bartlett said.

According to the Minister, cruise ship arrivals are projected to be up 48.4 percent this winter, with as many as 1.3 million.

“Those who are planning for next year, this is what the projections are — they are based on the fact that we have gone out there, built the market and we know where the goods are coming from,” he said.

Bartlett was speaking Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Luncheon Forum yesterday at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.

–Jamaica Information Service