Jamaica Welcomes One Millionth Visitor Since the Onset of COVID-19

• Jamaica has welcomed its one millionth stopover visitor to arrive since its borders were reopened to international travel in June 2020, after being closed for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
• Jamaica is the only English-speaking Caribbean country to have welcomed over 1.0Mn stopover visitors since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and has also generated just over US$1.5Bn in foreign exchange earnings from the industry since June 2020. 
• Minister Bartlett noted that the milestone achievement during a pandemic was indicative of the level of visitor confidence in Jamaica as a tourism destination, as well as the country’s health and safety protocols to contain the spread of COVID-19. He added that Jamaica has demonstrated to the global tourism market that it was managing this pandemic well. 
• The Minister highlighted that with the sector’s rebound, more than 50,000 tourism workers who were laid off due to the pandemic have been reinstated. Additionally, the Sangster Airport, which saw a decline in its labour force from 7,000 workers to the minimum staff required, has been able to recall 5,000 employees.

(Source: JIS News)