WESTERN BUREAU — Since 1993 Eric Muthra, a Westmoreland native who now lives in the United States, has been taking family and friends back to Jamaica in an effort to market the island’s tourism industry.

This year was no different for the Ohio resident, who migrated to the US over two decades ago.

“I have been taking groups — anywhere from 10 to 60 (people) — down here,” Muthra, told the Observer. “We always come in August and the visitors usually enjoy themselves because Jamaica has a good tourism product.”

Ten years ago, he brought his first 10-member group to vacation in Montego Bay. This year he and his fiancée, Deborah Lee, brought a 22-member group — nine of whom are repeat visitors. Guyanese-born, Gilbert Duke, who was among the nine, said Jamaica was his preferred destination.

“We have been coming here for the past 10 years, because Jamaica is just a beautiful place to have our vacation,” Duke who was accompanied by his wife told the Observer.

“As much as Guyana is my hometown, I prefer to come. It’s really good,” he added.

According to Muthra, next year’s group is shaping up to be one of the largest he will ever bring to the island.

“Next year should be much bigger. Already people have made down payments for the trip, and we are going to bring a cricket team here,” he said.