Travel website Expedia says its statistics show that travelers who book packaged deals in the Caribbean have been found to book longer stays within the destination.

On average, the length of stay for package bookings is over 5.5 days, versus an average of 3.6 days for standalone hotel bookings in the Caribbean.

As well, the site reported, over 1.2 million travelers used Expedia, Inc. sites around the world to book their trips to the Caribbean in the past year.

Revenue for Jamaica bookings was up eight percent, while average daily rates are up 12 percent, compared to last year.

50 percent of all bookings to the Caribbean and 67 percent of bookings to Jamaica made on Expedia sites worldwide are for air-plus-hotel packages, for which travelers can select any airline, any property and any dates.

Expedia package bookings to Jamaica have an average booking window of over 70 days, versus just 37 days for standalone hotel bookings.

As an example of the benefits that Expedia brings to a destination, Donnie Dawson, Deputy Director of Tourism-Americas for the Jamaica Tourist Board says “Expedia is the number one OTA to Jamaica. We have seen continued growth from Expedia over the last 8 years, out pacing all other competitors. It’s a delight to work with the team at Expedia, always willing to share new ideas, new innovations and helping to educate their partners in Jamaica with new methods, so that they are able to increase their business. What I also truly enjoy about working with Expedia, is that they are always pushing that creative envelope and seeking new ways to take brand Jamaica to their customers. They are a very strong partner!”