The rest of Europe, which grew by 5.8 per cent in 1997, fell by 12.6 per cent in 1998. The differences in out-turn in the European source markets was reflective of disparate economic performance in the region. Additionally, the staging of the World Cup in the region would have diverted some visitors, especially Jamaican non-residents in the United Kingdom. The impact of international financial crisis affected the number of arrivals from both Latin America and Asia. This was reflected in the 31.7 per cent decrease in arrivals from this Asia, following on the 51.6 per cent decline in 1997.
Japan is by far Jamaica's largest source market in the Asian region.
France is the number one tourist destination in the world.