Jamaica 'an affordable long-haul hotspot'

Travellers planning a long-haul getaway this year have been encouraged to consider Jamaica if they are hoping to stick to a budget.

Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Services, revealed that the destination could prove particularly popular with Brits owing to recent changes in the value of its currency.

"Jamaica looks to be one of the most affordable long-haul destinations this year as sterling has strengthened by over 24 per cent against the Jamaican dollar over the past 12 months," she said.

"Our living costs comparison barometer shows that Jamaica is the cheapest of the four big Caribbean Islands for a basket of eight tourist staples including meals and drinks."

Ms Munro revealed that prices in Jamaica were 15 per cent lower than St Lucia, which was the most expensive of all the Caribbean islands surveyed.

Speaking at a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association conference this month, Jamaican tourism minister Edmund Bartlett revealed that visitor arrivals are expected to increase by six per cent in 2010.

Posted by Andrea, 18 January 2010 13:07

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