Jamaica records more than two million visitor arrivals

Jamaica recorded 2.34 million visitor arrivals and generated US$2.5 billion (approximately J$394.03 billion) in earnings as at August 31, despite operating with a reduced room stock following the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

“This is 17 per cent less than last year, to date, in terms of arrivals and 18 per cent down in terms of revenue,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. Nonetheless, he said the performance was “satisfying”, given the challenges currently confronting the sector. Bartlett was speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank yesterday, which focused on Tourism Awareness Week, slated for September 27 to October 3.

Bartlett noted that approximately 70 per cent of the country’s room stock is currently available.