Expedia sees 40% increase for package tourism to Montego Bay

• February 13 2019
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business-observer/expedia-sees-40-increase-for_156648

Package demand for Montego Bay via Expedia.com increased by some 40 per cent last year.

The Expedia Group noted an increase in package demand from the Caribbean during the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same time in 2017. The Jamaican destinations of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios recorded a growth of nearly 40 per cent and nearly nine per cent, respectively.

Meanwhile, San Juan, Puerto Rico, recorded an increase of more than 360 per cent, a notable jump as the country has been recovering from the devastating hurricanes of 2017. Other Caribbean destinations such as Punta Cana, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Aruba recorded double-digit growth.

The statistics were revealed during the second annual Caribbean Tech & Travel Summit hosted by Expedia Group, the world's leading travel platform, at the Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa recently.

The event which immediately preceded the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, also held in Montego Bay, gathered industry leaders to highlight the advantages of Expedia Group Partner Central and present key regional insights.

The Expedia Group's Partner Central platform furnishes tools and data to tourism professionals which assist them in managing and promoting their businesses to maximise earnings. The summit was also an opportunity for team members from leading companies including Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association to meet with hotel executives to discuss trends, business priorities and strategies to move the Caribbean region forward.

“We are eager to return to Caribbean Travel Marketplace to engage with our valued lodging partners throughout the region and utilise data and insights to provide tangible results for the travel industry,” said Rafael del Castillo, senior director of Latin American resorts, Expedia Group Lodging Partner Services. “Our Tech & Travel Summit marks a unique opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the Caribbean, as the region continues to be a significant market for us as a company.”