Jamaica experienced a 3.6 percent increase from January-December 2009 in tourist arrivals, compared to the same period in 2008, and is off to a promising start for 2010. The announcement was made by Jamaica's Director of Tourism John Lynch during the third annual Tourism Outlook Seminar currently taking place at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, located in the resort capital of Montego Bay. Director Lynch was presenting Jamaica's Roadmap to Growth in the Current Landscape which formed part of the Maintaining the Competitive Edge session.

"Given the current global economic environment, a 3.6 percent growth is a commendable accomplishment for Jamaica," noted Director Lynch. "In order to achieve this level of growth, we had to devise strategies to weather the challenges of the economic climate and capitalize on opportunities in the industry as they arise. Our successful relationships with our hoteliers, attractions providers, transport providers and others partners also contributed to this favorable result."

According to the report by CRIENGLISH.com, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Jamaica each year is the fifth largest among all the Chinese visitors to the West based on the tourism board statistics.

"The Tourism Board and Bolt will be involved in a series of promotions and will begin in early 2010. " said Mr. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's minister of tourism, during CITM09. " Because of the value of Bolt in China's market, in fact, he has become the latest of the icons of Jamaica, it may very well be that images of him will be utilized in these areas".