JA hits fast $1bn

Jamaica’s immense popularity was confirmed in the first two months of 2024 after hosting one million visitors and earning US$1 billion, building on a record 2023.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett made the announcement at a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace press conference at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s office in Kingston last week. The numbers highlight the impressive growth trajectory of the country’s tourism sector.

Bartlett said: “I am particularly proud of the level of growth we have had post covid. Normally 2019 was used as our benchmark for growth, but 2023 is now that new benchmark as we broke two important barriers – welcoming four million visitors and earning four point two billion.”

Along with the usual tourist attractions like Dunn’s River Falls, the Bob Marley Museum and rafting on the Martha Brae River, the highly anticipated mounting of the statue of Usain Bolt, in Water Square, Falmouth, Trelawny is expected to be very popular with the town’s cruise shipping port. Bolt is the greatest sprinter ever and Falmouth is very proud of their global champ.

Bolt’s statue, which will soon be unveiled, will be mounted on a platform at the new fountain in the historic town centre. The sculpture will be a replica of the one already mounted in Independence Park, St Andrew.

Bolt, the world-record sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medallist, was immortalised in bronze with the unveiling of an eight-foot statue at Jamaica’s National Stadium in 2017.

Jamaica recorded 612,000 stopover arrivals, which represents a 7.4% increase and 390,000 cruise visitors, which is a 29.7% increase. Total arrivals of just over one million represents an increase of 15.1%. The increase in revenue is an impressive 8.5%. 

“We continue to work with our tourism partners across the globe to ensure that our tourism offerings remain top of the line. Jamaica provides unique and authentic experiences that keeps visitors keep coming back,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.

Jamaica will also host the 42nd staging of the most prestigious travel show in the region, Caribbean Travel Marketplace, from May 20-22 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The event is expected to attract 150 buyer companies and around 1000 delegates.