Visitors spent more so far this year than they did last year.
Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy revealed the quarterly figures for visitor spending while taking part in the Budget debate tonight. The Member of Parliament for St Michael South Central was the first speaker following Opposition Leader Owen Arthur reply to Monday’s Budget.
Between January and March expenditure was $332 million up from $312 for the same period last year. For the second quarter visitors spend $251 million up from $222 million last year. During the third quarter visitor spent $262 compared with $237 for the same period last year.
“Visitor spend obviously has been a vexing issue in these times … but we are going in the right direction,” said Sealy.
He told the House of Assembly that Government’s expectations of the industry were realistic.
“We are not pipe dreaming here. Tourism can and will step up to the mark and it will do what it has to do. It is earning and we are on an upward path,” he said.
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