Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CASE STUDY
Jamaica
Introduction and location
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribb
e
a
n
,
located to the south of Cuba and west of Hait
i
.
Most of the island is forested and mountainous,
rising from 1000 metres in the west to the Blue
Mountains in the east reaching 2256 metres in
height. Montego Bay is one of the world's great
resorts and is the jewel in the crown of Jamaica's
tourism industry. The island's capital, Kingston,
is on the south coast and is the largest English-
speaking city in the Caribbean, as well as being an
important business and administrative centre.
CARIBBEAN SEA
Montego Bay
4
4
Ocho Rios
j
Falmouth
4
4
Port Antonio
Negril
4
ins
j
4
Kingston
Spanish Town
Blue
Mountain
4
CARIBBEAN SE
A
Portland Point
Fig 8.2 - Jamaica
Accessibility
Long-haul tourists to Jamaica arrive by air or on a cruise ship. The island
has two international airports
- Norman Manley International (KIN), which is 18km (11 miles) south-east of the city, and Montego Bay
(MBJ), located 3km (2 miles) north of Kingston. The island has direct fl ights to the UK with a fl ight time of
approximately 10 hours. Scheduled services between Jamaica and the UK are operated by Air Jamaica,
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, while charter fl ights are currently available from Thomas Cook Airlines
(from Gatwick and Manchester) and Thomsonfl y from Gatwick. Jamaica is a major cruise destination, with
three ports of call - Montego Bay, Kingston and Port Antonio - frequented by cruise liners from companies
such as Princess Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines and P&O Cruises.
Destination facilities
Jamaica has an abundance of wildlife and natural attractions including Blue Mountain and the Dry Harbour
Mountains. Its beaches are world-famous and are found mostly on the north and west coasts of th
e
island
where the principal resorts of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril and Port Antonio are located. Built attractions
include Aquasol Theme Park and the Bob Marley Museum. As well as being the capital Kingston is also the
cultural centre of the island, with the National Gallery of Art and the Hope Botanical Gardens. It is a li
v
ely
capital containing fi ne examples of old colonial architecture.
