Jamaica hosted one million visitors and earned USD $1 billion in gross foreign exchange earnings in the first two months of 2024, building on a record 2023.
The country'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.
Jamaica saw 611,642 stopover arrivals, which represents a 7.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. The island country also hosted 389,319 cruise passenger arrivals, signaling a 29.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Total visitor arrivals for the period were 1,000,961, which marks an increase of 15.1 percent over the same months in 2023. Altogether, the arrivals brought in $1 billion, which is an increase of 8.5 percent.
"I am particularly proud of the level of growth we have had post-Covid," Bartlett said in a statement. "Previously, 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."
"Against all odds, Jamaica has broken another barrier by welcoming one million visitors and earning one billion in gross foreign exchange earnings during the first two months of this year. This is unprecedented in the country’s tourism history," said Bartlett.
"We continue to work with our tourism partners across the globe to ensure that our tourism offerings remain top-of-the-line," added Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. "Jamaica provides unique and authentic experiences that keep visitors keep coming back."
Jamaica will be the host destination for the CHTA's 42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace from May 20-22 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The event is expected to attract 150 buyer companies and approximately 1,000 delegates, the Jamaica Tourist Board confirmed.
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