Jamaica courts Gulf airlines and Middle Eastern tourists in hub push

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Jamaica is stepping up efforts to attract high-end tourists from the Middle East, with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett pursuing stronger air links and tourism partnerships with the Gulf.

Mr Bartlett said Jamaica is in discussions with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways as the government explores ways to improve connectivity between the Middle East and the Caribbean.

The broader aim is to establish Jamaica as a hub linking Gulf destinations with the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Mr Bartlett has also been talking with Emirates about using its network to improve access to Jamaica and other Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

Saudi talks

Saudi Arabia is another focus. Mr Bartlett recently held discussions with the Saudi Fund for Development on possible cooperation in tourism, including training, education and health infrastructure. The talks also covered possible support for Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa reconstruction efforts.

Jamaica has been deepening its engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, where officials see opportunities for more arrivals, investment and business partnerships. Air connectivity remains central to the effort.

Industry representatives have identified the Middle East as a potentially lucrative market for luxury tourism, while noting that Jamaica will need to tailor services and experiences to the preferences of Gulf travellers.

Tourism 3.0

The initiative forms part of the government's Tourism 3.0 strategy, which Mr Bartlett has described as a new development framework intended to expand Jamaica's economy.

The government believes stronger links with Gulf airlines could benefit neighbouring Caribbean islands as well as Jamaica by creating new routes into the region, and hopes to build longer-term relationships covering air connectivity, investment, tourism development and trade.