Jamaica Has Welcomed 2.4 Million Visitors Since January
By: , July 16, 2024
Photo: Rudranath Fraser
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, closes the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 16.The Full Story
Jamaica has welcomed approximately 2.4 million visitors, so far, in 2024, says Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.
The number represents more than 1.5 million stopover arrivals and 800,000 cruise passengers, he noted, while closing the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 16.
Minister Bartlett informed that more than 150,000 visitors have arrived at the country’s shores since the passing of Hurricane Beryl on July 3.
“On July 2nd and 3rd, we had no visitors arriving in Jamaica. We had zero visitors. But on the fourth of July, we started receiving visitors again and in just 11 days from July 4 to 14, a [total of] 105,000 stopover visitors and 50,000 cruisers came to Jamaica,” he said.
He noted that there was also a significant weekend bump, with 40,000 persons coming into the island for Reggae Sumfest, which is being staged in Montego Bay from July 14 and 20 and is expected to bring in some US$20 million in earnings.
Minister Bartlett told the House that the country is well on track to achieve its annual target of 4.3 million visitors.
“We are building on the successes of [2023/24],” he said, noting that gross earnings surged to US$4.38 billion for the period, marking a 9.6 per cent increase over 2022/23.
The impressive growth was underpinned by a record-breaking 2.96 million stopover arrivals, a 9.4 per cent rise over fiscal year 2022/2023, he noted further.
Minister Bartlett noted that the arrival figures represent jobs for Jamaicans, opportunities for businesses and a stronger, more resilient economy.
“They affirm our position as a premier Caribbean destination and underscore the effectiveness of our tourism strategies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett said for the first three months of 2024, a total of $10 billion in earnings was realised through Airbnb accommodations for ordinary Jamaicans.
“Jamaica’s tourism sector has faced challenges before, and each time we have not just survived but thrived. This time will be no different. We are Jamaica, resilient, resourceful and ready for whatever comes our way,” he said.