China’s first flight to Cuba signals serious threat for Jamaica’s tourism

By Dre1alliance Staff (Jamaica) -

 

December 30, 2015

While Jamaica is basking in the virtual flood of Chinese infrastructure investments on the island over recent years, neighbouring Cuba has stolen a march on the English-speaking Caribbean that might mean serious competition, especially in the area of tour

On Sunday, the first direct flight between China and Cuba took off from Beijing International Airport.

The state-owned carrier, Air China, is reportedly aiming to promote Chinese tourism in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Sunday’s flight was the first direct route linking China, the world’s second-largest economy, and the Caribbean. It was also the first route between the Asian nation and Latin America that is operated by an Asian airline.

Flights are in place from China to Mexico and Brazil, but those services are operated by foreign interests.

The new service is expected to boost tourism between China and Cuba, as well as travel from the Asian nation to all of Latin America, a region that has rarely been visited by the growing number of Chinese tourists.