Travel expert warns volatile airfares could hurt tourism

Travel consultant Claire Robinson, owner of Claire Skies Travel and a former Air Jamaica employee, warned that volatile airline ticket prices could harm Jamaica’s tourism sector. Speaking at the Love Caribbean: Jamaica Edition 2026 conference in Green Island, Hanover, Robinson highlighted how dynamic pricing models cause significant fare changes within 24 hours, disrupting decisions like destination weddings. She emphasized the need for airlines and hotels to coordinate pricing to stabilize the industry, citing past stability in weekend fares from Baltimore to Jamaica as a positive example. Robinson acknowledged rising fuel costs as a factor but argued that daily price fluctuations hurt tourism sustainability. As a top 50 travel advisor for Destination Jamaica, she stressed that industry collaboration is critical to avoid future challenges. The conference, held at Princess Grand Jamaica hotel from Monday to Thursday, focused on destination weddings and romance travel, drawing wedding planners and industry experts. Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism, Philip Rose, acknowledged industry coordination but defended market-based pricing. He stated that airlines and resorts work together through meetings and conferences organized by the Jamaica Tourist Board, aligning capacity and expansion plans. Rose argued that tourism pricing reflects consumer demand, noting Jamaica’s historical popularity as a destination. He dismissed concerns about plummeting prices devaluing the brand, citing no evidence of such trends. While Robinson called for urgent action to address fare instability, Rose emphasized that tourism, like other industries, must balance profitability with market conditions. The debate underscored tensions between dynamic pricing and the need for predictable costs in travel planning, particularly for high-value events like weddings.