As Jamaica experiences its highest-volume tourism summer ever, the island is looking to add more arrivals from a burgeoning market: South America. 

Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is looking to tap into three major markets: Argentina, Chile and Peru, all of which he is visiting this week. 

“South America’s economic recovery to pre-pandemic levels has been quite impressive and we’re confident that this is a good time to pursue opportunities for collaboration between Jamaica and tourism players in that region,” Bartlett said. 

Before the pandemic, there were 11 flights each week between Panama and Jamaica on Copa Airlines; that was joined by three flights each week on LATAM between Lima and Montego Bay. 

“Our mission is to enrich the relationship with Latin America and bolster visitor arrivals coming from the south as we strive to meet our target of 5 million annual visitors by 2025,” Bartlett said. 

The trip will include talks with airlines in the market, including with officials at Copa.