Preliminary figures for the 2008 winter tourist season have indicated an 8.4 per cent increase in stopover arrivals over the similar period last year.

For the January to March period, stopover arrivals were 483,959, up from 427,252 in 2007.

Speaking with JIS News, Director of Tourism, Basil Smith noted that the figures are looking impressive so far and is anticipating a double digit increase in arrivals when calculations are completed.

"February was the most outstanding month when stopover arrivals shot up by 17 per cent," the Director revealed, adding that the overall performance of the sector was due to "a sustained marketing effort on the part of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB)." 

Minister of Health and Environment, Rudyard Spencer, has said that the development of a viable health tourism industry is an integral part of the government's vision for the country's health care system.

"Jamaica has an unrivalled opportunity to develop a thriving health tourism and wellness industry. Our location to the North American market, language, climate, and the outlay of our health infrastructure, are among our distinct advantages," said Mr. Spencer, during his contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate at Gordon House on Tuesday, June 3.