Jamaica tourism "marginally ahead" of last year, reports 2M stopover visitors since Jan

Jamaica has welcomed just over two million stopover visitors and some three million total visitors, including cruise arrivals, between January 1 and September 14 this year, says the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

The numbers mark an increase over last year's figures for the same period.

“Surpassing two million stopover arrivals and welcoming some three million total visitors since the start of 2024 is a remarkable achievement for Jamaica,” said Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, in a press release.

Bartlett added that Jamaica’s tourism sector has also earned approximately US$2.97 billion since the year began.

“Despite various challenges relating to U.S. travel advisories, hurricane Beryl and tightness in relation to airlift, we are marginally ahead of last year’s performance, which demonstrates the sustained recovery and growth of our tourism industry,” he said. “This reflects the strength and resilience of our tourism sector and the continued appeal of Jamaica as a premier travel destination.”

The tourism minister further noted that increasing airlift to Jamaica from new and emerging markets remains a key component of the Ministry’s Blue Ocean Strategy, as the team works to enhance competitiveness and strengthen relationships with international carriers and stakeholders – especially in South America.

This week, the minister will be in Belém, Brazil, where he will will participate in the fourth G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, taking place September 19 - 20, 2024. T

He will also attend a G20 Ministerial Meeting on September 21, 2024,

“As we look ahead, sustainability and resilience remain at the forefront of Jamaica’s tourism agenda,” Bartlett added. “The G20 provides an excellent platform to advocate for these principles internationally and to foster positive change in the global tourism industry.”

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.