3.88 Million Visitors, US$4.2 Billion in Tourism Earnings Projected for 2023  

• Jamaica is on course to welcome 3.88 million visitors for 2023, comprising 2.74 million stopover arrivals and 1.13 million cruise passengers, with estimated earnings of US$4.2 billion.
• Director of Tourism, Donovan White highlighted that those numbers are expected to grow to 4.59 million visitors and US$4.3 billion in earnings in 2024 and in 2025, the industry is projected to welcome five million visitors with corresponding earnings of over US$5 billion.
• Jamaica welcomed 2.77 million visitors between January and August, with tourism earnings reaching US$2.9 billion for the eight months.
• The arrival figure represents a 32% increase compared to the same period last year, when the island welcomed 2.09 million visitors, and is just 5.5% shy of the record 2.93 million in arrivals for January to August 2019. The remarkable surge in tourist arrivals and increased foreign exchange earnings is a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders. The growth in the sector has been a key driver of economic growth after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. Further, the projections suggest that the government is on track to earn more revenues from tourism as the industry continues to make a sizable contribution to growth in the coming years.
• Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) is the premier trade event of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), slated for September 11 to 13. The discussions will provide the Government and members of the JHTA with valuable information and insight to make strategic decisions aimed at further boosting the local tourism sector.

(Source:  JIS)