Jamaica on the way to TWO MILLION Tourists so far in 2023

By Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Jamaica, May 19, 2023 – Jamaica has received just over 1.5 million visitors as of May 10th 2023, with provisional gross earnings over US$1.6 billion for the period, according to Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism.

This indicates a growth in the island’s tourism industry which as expressed by Bartlett puts the country in line with 2019’s annual numbers.

“Between January 01, 2023 and May 10, 2023, we received 1,586,303 total visitors, stopover and cruise, earning US$1.69 billion, putting our destination on par with 2019 record figures.”

He highlighted that the island has seen a steady growth of tourism as well as continued investment in the sector which he described as a “tremendous achievement.”

Additionally Bartlett gave recognition to the investments and resilience building moves as contributing factors and key areas of focus for the strong recovery of the island’s number one industry.

He highlighted that marketing efforts, the increasing of room capacity, as well as widened aircraft connectivity as catalysts to the boost in arrivals.

In referencing the future, the continued growth of the industry, he informed that Jamaica is continuing to “secure new air service” in addition to new routes by high end carriers like Arajet, Frontier, American Airlines and Edelweiss airlines.

The minister pointed to the exciting expansion and modernization of the Sangster International Airport and the plan for 8,000 new hotel rooms set for construction over the next two to five years, which will contribute to the upward movement of the tourism industry.

Bartlett made the announcement on the country’s success on the heels of the 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace, held in Barbados May 9-11.