Above: the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica
By Alexander Britell
Travel demand for Jamaica is on the rise, according to the latest report from Expedia.
More than 230,000 room nights in the country were booked through Expedia’s platforms in 2012, with the largest increase coming from Brazil, which saw 57 percent growth compared to 2011.
Several other source markets also showed increased demand, including France, which grew by 22 percent, and the Netherlands, which saw 16 percent improvement in demand.
“In 2012, tourism to Jamaica received a push from new connectivity from the United States, Canada and Panama, which provided easier access to the destination,” said Marco Tagliatti, vice president of lodging supply for Expedia in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Demand for Jamaica has consistently increased on Expedia and Hotels.com sites fueled by package sales, which account for more than 60 percent of total sales into the destination.”
According to Tagliatti, the average length of stay on trips to Jamaica booked through Expedia is up to six nights so far in the first quarter of 2013.
The Expedia group operates over 140 Web sites in 70 countries, including Hotels.com, Hotwire and Egencia.