Jamaica has recorded 1,016,185 stopover arrivals and over 700,000 cruise passengers, earning roughly US$1.8 billion in revenue. This represents a 4.6 per cent increase in stopover arrivals and a 23 per cent increase in cruise passengers compared to the same period in 2023.
The Government of Jamaica is pushing to grow its visitor arrivals and destination presence across the globe and is particularly keen to tap into the India market, recognising potential of the Indian travellers, expressed Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
The Minister also mentioned that Jamaica will continue to initiate efforts to build the destination’s presence in new international markets this year. The initiative places special emphasis on India and Latin America, where there is immense potential for both, leisure and business travel.
Speaking about the progress in India market, Minister Bartlett stated, “Recognising India as a high-potential tourism market, we have appointed TRAC Representations (India) as our local market representative. Their role involves engaging with local travel partners and media, fostering trade and consumer awareness of the Jamaican brand, and developing suitable air connectivity options to the island. This strategic partnership seeks to tap into India’s burgeoning travel market and position Jamaica as a desirable destination for Indian travellers.”
On the other hand, reporting a 40 per cent increase in arrivals from Latin America, Jamaica welcomed approximately 36,000 visitors from this market in 2023. “Our partnership with Copa Airlines, a key player in this market, has expanded significantly, with daily flights from Panama to both Kingston and Montego Bay. These routes offer convenient connections to destinations such as Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, and Mexico — strengthening our accessibility and appeal to Latin American travellers,” said Minister Bartlett.
Overall, Jamaica has recorded 1,016,185 stopover arrivals and over 700,000 cruise passengers, earning roughly US$1.8 billion in revenue. This represents a 4.6 per cent increase in stopover arrivals and a 23 per cent increase in cruise passengers compared to the same period in 2023. Jamaica remains a premier destination that is highly sought after for its authentic experiences, Bartlett asserted, who was speaking during ATM 2024 in Dubai.
Speaking about Jamaica’s presence at ATM, Bartlett said, “Participation in the Arabian Travel Market is a key part of our global marketing strategy. There is no other event quite like it, offering an unparalleled platform for exposure and establishing valuable connections within the Middle Eastern travel industry. We look forward to engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including media outlets, tour operators, airlines, and potential investors, all with the goal of fostering new collaborations and propelling further growth in Jamaica’s tourism sector.”
As Jamaica enters 2024, the destination has adopted a new motto: ‘Even More in ‘24’, recognising the transformative power of Jamaica’s tourism industry. The interconnected web of the tourism value chain is not just a beacon of hope but a powerful force that fosters positive change and uplifts the lives of the Jamaican people and local businesses, the minister expressed.
