Cruise arrivals have helped Jamaica attract more visitors in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year

The Caribbean island’s minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett revealed that based on preliminary figures, Jamaica has welcomed just over two million stopover visitors and some three million total visitors, including cruise arrivals, between 1 January and 14 September 2024.

Bartlett described the figures as a “remarkable achievement” for the island. Since the year began, the destination’s tourism sector has earned approximately US$2.97 billion.

“Despite various challenges including, hurricane Beryl and tightness in relation to airlift, the sustained recovery and growth demonstrates and reflects the strength and resilience of our tourism sector and the continued appeal of Jamaica as a premier travel destination,” he added.

Jamaica’s tourism landscape is set to evolve in 2025 with a range of new luxury hotel openings and a calendar of events that will celebrate the island’s culture and culinary heritage.

In 2024 the destination has seen developments made to existing properties, such as Montego Bay’s Round Hill welcoming Villa 14 estate, consisting of three luxury villas and staff quarters, and Half Moon set to unveil its new multi-bedroom Prestige Ocean & Ocean Villas in November.