Jamaica's new tourism minister, Ed Bartlett, has "guaranteed" to raise the average spend per cruise ship visitor by $67 by 2010. The vow was made during Bartlett's first major public statement since taking office earlier this month. Bartlett wants to increase the current cruise passenger spend of $83 to $150. The Caribbean is showing signs of life after a flattish year of cruising due to lower demand in the region. "The tourism industry has been on a dangerous, downwards spiral over the last six months," Bartlett said. Jamaica has seen a 12 percent dip in visitors from the United States.
