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Looking to increase employment in its country, as well as its nation's tourism appeal, the Jamaican Government plans to spend millions of pounds enhancing its tourism industry.

With details of the initiative to be released in the coming days, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the new plans would create up to 20,000 new jobs across the sector, as well as offer other benefits.

According to a local source, the country welcomed around 763,000 cruise ship visitors between January and September this year in addition to its 1.5 million stopover visitors. Arrivals growth is predicted to rise by six percent.

Local online travel review company, Easyvoyage explained that investments in the industry would encourage further growth as people were urged to plan holidays to Jamaica.

“Jamaica already has all the ingredients to make a great destination, but with this investment they will be able to become one of the world's top tourist hotspots,” Easyvoyage's Rooksana Hossenally said.

“The country is a great place to experience everything that the Caribbean has to offer, with great beaches and fantastic facilities.

Earlier this year the island was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the sixth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.