Tourism remains one of the biggest drivers of Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 economic resurgence and growth, underlining the island’s status as one of the fastest recovering countries globally and the Caribbean’s most rapidly growing tourist destinations.
Visitor Arrivals
• Jamaica welcomed 4.15 million visitors, representing an increase of 24% over the previous year. This includes 2,886,064 stopover visitors, which marks a 16.4% rise. Additionally, there were 1,265,586 cruise arrivals recorded for the year, representing a 48.3% increase over 2022. This surge in visitors generated foreign exchange earnings of US$4.27 billion, which represents an 18% increase over 2022.
• The $1.3 billion Bengal Cove Villas development in Discovery Bay, St. Ann was officially opened.
• The new and improved road- way to the historic Bath Fountain Hotel in St. Thomas, was officially opened.
• $1 billion in sales generated by small farmers utilising the TEF-facilitated Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform.
• Ground was broken for the eight-storey Montego Bay Racquet Club Condominiums and Spa development.
• The Ministry, through TEF, handed over 50 new 650-gallon water tanks to farmers in Ulster Spring, Southern Trelawny.
New Flights
• Jamaica welcomed Frontier Airlines’ inaugural non-stop flight from Denver, Colorado and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, Texas; Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flight from Kansas, Missouri; Norse Atlantic Airways inaugural flight from London-Gatwick Airport.
Economic Boost for SMTEs
• As at July, the National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank) had approved and disbursed loans totalling $1.93 billion to operators of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs).
• Over 600 patrons attended the two-day ‘Christmas in July’ trade show at the A.C. Hotel by Marriott Kingston, which showcased 175 exhibitors featuring locally made products.