next month, marking the first time a Middle Eastern airline will offer service to the English-speaking Caribbean. The new service from Dubai will transit through Germany before landing in Montego Bay.

“This is one of the great accomplishments of my tenure as minister,” Bartlett said. “We began discussions with Emirates before COVID and now we are finally seeing it come to fruition.” Bartlett said it positions Jamaica as a strategic hub for Middle Eastern tourism into the Caribbean.

“This will achieve a number of objectives, including reinforcing Montego Bay’s role as a hub,” said Bartlett. “It aligns with the multi-destination tourism strategy we’ve been championing, and firmly places Jamaica at the center of a new wave of travel connectivity.”

The announcement comes as Jamaica continues to expand its global reach and diversify its visitor markets beyond traditional sources in North America and Europe. With Emirates onboard, Bartlett said the island is set to strengthen ties with emerging markets in the Middle East, Asia and beyond, opening doors to increased investment and cultural exchange. “Jamaica will now position itself as a leading destination in the region for multiple markets around the world,” Bartlett declared. (Jamaica Gleaner)