Saudia Holidays to Help Open Middle Eastern Market to Jamaica

Discussions are underway to strengthen the relationship between Jamaica and Saudia Holidays, the official tour operator of Saudia Airlines that operates flights to over 100 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett lead the discussions on Tuesday with his Senior Tourism team and head of Saudia Holidays, Omar Kwarjah. “Getting an arrangement in place with Saudia Holidays is critical to enabling us to promote the destination and fill airline seats through the multiple code sharing partnerships available. Through this partnership we will be able to promote content around Jamaica’s destination offerings to increase our attractiveness in the region,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council or GCC region is a critical region that we are targeting as an emerging market and partnerships like these will help us in our strategic planning to attract more visitors” added Minister Bartlett.

Saudia Holidays, one pf the largest tour operators in the region, offers its clients the ability to make reservations with more than 900,000 service providers.

“The arrangement would also include familiarization trips for top agents and tour operators at Saudia Holidays to give them a taste and feel of Jamaica so they will be in a position of knowledge to sell the destination in the region,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board.

Minister Bartlett is leading a mission at Arabian Travel Market, a leading global event enabling growth for the travel and tourism industry with 41 thousand participants attending this year’s staging.

Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.  

In 2023, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fourth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it named “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board” for the 15th consecutive year, “Caribbean’s Leading Destination” for the 17th consecutive year, and the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” in the World Travel Awards – Caribbean.’ In addition, Jamaica was awarded six gold 2023 Travvy Awards, including ‘Best Honeymoon Destination’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ and ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ as well as two silver Travvy Awards for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall.’’ It also received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time. TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica the #7 Best Honeymoon Destination in the World and the #19 Best Culinary Destination in the World for 2024. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition and the destination is routinely ranked among the best to visit globally by prestigious international publications. 

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).  Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.  

SEEN IN MAIN IMAGE: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) stands with head of Saudia Holidays, Omar Kwarjah (L) and Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, during Arabian Travel Market, the largest travel and trade show held in Dubai.