Business View Caribbean October/November 2018

10 11 OPENING LINES MOBILE DEMAND TRANSFORMS JAMAICAN TOURISM T he use of internet and mobile devices as platforms to shop and purchase travel products is rapidly increasing and has trans- formed the Jamaican tourism indus- try. According to the Expedia Group, its mobile booking platforms report a spike in mobile demand during Jan- uary-June 2018, when compared to the previous year, to the follow- ing Jamaican destinations: n Ocho Rios, over 10 percent growth from US travelers n Negril, over 20 percent growth from US travelers n Negril, nearly 40 percent growth from Canadian travelers n Kingston, nearly 10 percent growth from US travelers The top inbound mobile demand penetration mar- kets in the Caribbean were the United States, with almost 90 percent growth YoY; the United Kingdom, with more than 100 percent growth YoY; Can- ada, with almost 150 percent growth YoY; and Brazil with more than 70 percent growth YoY. Expedia Group also reported this year’s Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX),which took place September 23-25, that the top in-demand Jamaican markets in the second quarter of 2018 when compared to the same time in 2017 were Montego Bay, Ocho Rios,Negril, Kingston, and Port Antonio. Additionally, the company highlighted that de- mand for different property star ratings during the same time frame mentioned above were as fol- lows: more than 45 percent for three stars, nearly 40 percent for four stars, and almost 15 percent for five stars. Moreover, over 70 percent of demand generated during this time was for all-inclusive stays to the island nation. “Expedia Group’s strong offering of effective solutions, technology, and marketing expertise continue to have a strong impact on Jamaica’s tour- ism growth. Our objective is to keep seeking oppor- tunities with hotel partners and to demonstrate the added value of partnering with Expedia Group,” said Nuno Sales da Ponte, Director of Market Management in the Caribbean, Expedia Group. “JAPEX allows us to meet with our valued Jamaican lodging partners one-on-one, discuss the latest data reports we’ve gathered for Jamaica, and what’s in store for the future in terms of trends, new technology, and new strategies.”