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Officials to open tourism training school 
Monday, 24 September 2007 Jamaican officials plan to open a tourism training school as part of a campaign to reverse a downturn in visitors to the island, particularly from the key U.S. market.
This is according to newly appointed Tourism Minister, Ed Bartlett who was speaking to overseas interests.
According to Mr. Bartlett, the tourism industry has been on a dangerous downward spiral over the last six months.
This year, [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Jamaica[/COLOR][/COLOR] has seen a 12 per cent drop in visitors from the United States, which accounts for the bulk of the island's tourism.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization says other Caribbean islands are reporting similar slumps.
Experts have cited new passport rules and a sluggish U.S. economy as possible explanations.
Despite the overall decrease in Caribbean tourism, a recent [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]survey[/COLOR][/COLOR] of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, named [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Caribbean [COLOR=blue! important]cruises[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] as the Number one international destination for Carlson customers.
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Cancun[/COLOR][/COLOR], Mexico, was number two on the list, followed by Rome, Mexico's Riviera Maya, and Mediterranean cruises.
While 50 per cent of those surveyed said their Caribbean bookings were up this year compared to last year, 18 per cent said they were down, and 32 per cent said they were even.
Monday, 24 September 2007 Jamaican officials plan to open a tourism training school as part of a campaign to reverse a downturn in visitors to the island, particularly from the key U.S. market.This is according to newly appointed Tourism Minister, Ed Bartlett who was speaking to overseas interests.
According to Mr. Bartlett, the tourism industry has been on a dangerous downward spiral over the last six months.
This year, [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Jamaica[/COLOR][/COLOR] has seen a 12 per cent drop in visitors from the United States, which accounts for the bulk of the island's tourism.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization says other Caribbean islands are reporting similar slumps.
Experts have cited new passport rules and a sluggish U.S. economy as possible explanations.
Despite the overall decrease in Caribbean tourism, a recent [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]survey[/COLOR][/COLOR] of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, named [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Caribbean [COLOR=blue! important]cruises[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] as the Number one international destination for Carlson customers.
[COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Cancun[/COLOR][/COLOR], Mexico, was number two on the list, followed by Rome, Mexico's Riviera Maya, and Mediterranean cruises.
While 50 per cent of those surveyed said their Caribbean bookings were up this year compared to last year, 18 per cent said they were down, and 32 per cent said they were even.