WESTERN BUREAU – Over the last 11 years Eric Muthra, a Westmoreland native who now lives in the United States, has brought more than 300 family members and friends back to Jamaica in an effort to boost the island’s tourism industry.

This year was no different.

“It’s just my little way of helping to develop the economy of the country and to showcase the beauty of the island to friends and relatives,” Muthra, who migrated to Ohio more than two decades ago, told the Observer Wednesday.

He has since 1993 taken groups to vacation in Montego Bay annually. Last year, he along with his fiancée, Deborah Lee, brought a 22-member group. Nine were repeat visitors. But the Westmoreland native was not satisfied with the amount of visitors on that trip and subsequently promised to significantly increase that number this year. As promised, he arrived in the island last week with a group of 44 persons.

“This is one of my bigger groups since I have been taking people here, and I am very happy for that,” said an elated Muthra, adding that group members are expected to contribute in excess of $2 million to the local economy during their stay.

“Each person will be spending roughly US$800 for the week so that is a little boost for the economy,” he said.

This year’s trip took on added significance, as two group members got married on Thursday, at the El Greco Resort in the western resort city. The couple, Lorraine and Gerald Willoughby, who are out of Ohio in the US were delighted to exchange wedding vows on the island.

“We are very happy to get married here because this is a beautiful place,” said the Jamaican-born Lorraine, who was vacationing with Muthra’s group for the second time.

During the week-long visit, the group visited a number of attractions including Green Grotto Caves, Dunn’s River Falls, Appleton Estate, Margaritaville and the Gaming Lounge at the Coral Cliff Hotel.