On December 3rd, the **Jamaica Tourist Board** released its *Annual Travel Statistics for 2018*. As a fan of statistics I couldn't resist but to take a look. The data is more useful when you analyze it together with the *Measurement of Visitor Expenditure 2018* released on October 18, 2019. If you are interested in the source for this information it's all found on the Jamaica Tourist Board [website](https://www.jtbonline.org/report-and-statistics/) and is free to download.

The best thing about the **Jamaica Tourist Board's** website is that they have Unrestricted Use Images! For all your ReggaeSteem posting needs! https://www.jtbonline.org/downloads/unrestricted-use-images/ You can use these images freely, Crypticat approves 😺	

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![or_bc_Ocho Rios Bay Beach04.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmfXH5edzwLD82haYQytUxUJutaGWWK6GYedjzKUocDAgU/or_bc_Ocho%20Rios%20Bay%20Beach04.jpg)[Source](https://www.jtbonline.org/download/ocho-rios-bay-beach-3/)
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## Observations and Opinion
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- While Cruise Ship Passengers made up 42.7% of all visitors to Jamaica in 2018, they only accounted for 6% of tourist expenditure. 

Cruise passengers don't need hotels, they only have one or two meals off the boat and generally stay near the docks. The closest cruise terminal to Negril is a 75-minute drive away in Montego Bay. Anyone willing to spend 3 hours in a taxi must really want to see the Seven-Mile Beach or [Rick's Cafe](https://www.visitjamaica.com/blog/post/negril-the-famous-ricks-cafe/).  


- Tourists spend very little on souvenirs, art, clothing, and goods while in Jamaica only spending a few dollars per day on shopping or 4.6% of their budget.

More marketing could be done to promote Jamaican goods. Most of the advertising is done by the large hotel chains and although they all have giftshops they aren't focused on showcasing Jamaica as a place to buy things. This represents an opportunity for ReggaeSteem. You can exchange JAHM for Jamaican goods at places such as the [Irie Gift Shop](https://www.reggaesteem.io/introduceyourself/@iriegiftshop/welcome-to-the-irie-gift-shop-negril) I hope to see more vendors and local craftspeople soon on ReggaeSteem.

- All-Inclusive tourists and first-time visitors spend far more than repeat visitors who make their own packages.

This is what ReggaeSteem is all about, there are no All-Inclusive chain resorts on the ReggaeSteem Tourism [page](https://www.reggaesteem.com/tourism/) and JAHM can be used to save you even more cash next time you go to Jamaica. ReggaeSteem wants to make the world fall in love with Jamaica and introduce them to the real Jamaica, all while saving money and having a better time. Eat what you want, when you want to eat it and don't worry about stuffing yourself 3 times a day or binge drinking to get your monies worth (although no one will stop you if this is your idea of a vacation.)

- Non-All-Inclusive, smaller hotels have a much more difficult time filling their rooms than the larger chain hotels.

ReggaeSteem is here to help the smaller businesses. Many of the large chains have huge advertising budgets, they are tied in with other point systems and can operate at a loss.  Large resorts often discourage their patrons from leaving the resort and keep as much tourist money out of the local economy as possible. Their guests often don't experience the real Jamaica and most profits go back to American and European shareholders. These properties also put a tremendous strain on local resources.

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<div class="pull-right">https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaPzxiyuxGPq8ntvuyByodkXQkBV6NSCXGE8Lhxf3NJpe/Screenshot%202019-12-04%20at%2022.25.33.png</div>

@reggaesteem's ultimate reward system. The JAHM Stake and Stay Token is [explained in detail](https://www.reggaesteem.io/jsns/@reggaesteem/introducing-the-jahm-stake-and-stay-token-redeemable-for-a-vacation-package-courtesy-of-reggaesteem) Keep Powering Up and you can JAHM your way to JAMROCK!

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There's so much data to analyze, we are going to leave the rest for future parts. Stay Tuned.

<hr><center>Posted via <a href="https://www.reggaesteem.io/">ReggaeSteem</a> | Reggae Culture Rewarded </center>