A surprised Jill Bell (third left) of Wisconsin, USA, the four millionth visitor to Jamaica this year, shows off an autographed copy of a book of 50 colourful photographs of Jamaica she received from Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (second right), on her arrival at the Sangster International Airport on Friday. Her husband Steve is second left and far right is the head of Technology and Administration at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Peter Mullings.

The tourist industry started its traditional high season Friday shattering all previous records for visitor arrivals, by welcoming the four millionth tourist so far this year.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett led a team of officials in a surprise welcome at the Sangster International Airport for Jill Bell of Wisconsin USA, who with her husband Steve, has been to Jamaica 25 times so far, the last ten of which was at Christmastime.

“Our home away from home; it’s our second home, as we call it,” Bell said as she assured the minister that they would be back next year for another Christmas.

“You make us feel welcome and you are part of our family, just as how we try to make you a part of our family and learn about you and your families,” she added.

At a VIP reception for the history-making visitor, Bartlett said that he was proud to be the fortunate one “to stand in the breach at this time for the four millionth visitor gracing the shores of this beautiful country.”

He disclosed that the four million visitors to Jamaica so far comprise 1.9 million cruise passengers and 2.1 million stop -over tourists.

Also, he said it was expected that the year would end with about 2.3 million stopovers and 2.1 million trippers combined, contributing just under US$3 billion to the Jamaican economy.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sunday-finance/tourist-arrivals-hit-4m-mark_120111