ST JAMES, Jamaica — Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says recent figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) have revealed that the island welcomed 202,192 visitors in January, representing a nine per cent increase over the same period in 2018.

“I am very pleased to share that Jamaica’s tourism sector continues to grow and surpass our projections. These figures from January are indeed, very impressive and are a result of the strong marketing efforts our team has been utilizing in key markets across the globe, “ Bartlett was quoted as saying in a release from his ministry this afternoon.

The data shows that for the period of January 1 to 31, 2019, Montego Bay welcomed 173,745 visitors, which is an 8.2 per cent increase over the same period in 2018. Kingston also saw a 14 per cent increase, with a record 28,447 visiting the Capital city last month.

“The growth of tourism locally underscores the invaluable worth of the industry as a powerful driver of economic growth and development. This nine per cent increase represents 16,661 more arrivals, when compared to the same period in 2018,” said the minister.

The figures follow on the country having a record 2018, with over 4.3 million arrivals and $3.3 billion in earnings, the tourism ministry said.