Jamaica welcomed one million visitors and generated USD $1 billion in gross foreign exchange earnings in the first two months of 2024, adding to its record performance in 2023.

Edmund Bartlett, the country’s Minister of Tourism, made the statement at a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace press conference held last week at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s office in Kingston.

Jamaica experienced 611,642 stopover arrivals, which represents a 7.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. The island country also saw 389,319 cruise passenger arrivals, representing a 29.7 percent rise over the same period last year.

Total visitor arrivals during the period were 1,000,961, representing a 15.1% increase over the same months in 2023. Overall, arrivals generated $1 billion, representing an 8.5 percent increase.

Bartlett said in a statement, “I am particularly proud of the level of growth we have had post-Covid. Previously, 2019 was used as our benchmark for growth, but 2023 is now that new benchmark as we broke two important barriers – welcoming four million visitors and earning four point two billion.”

Against all odds, Jamaica has broken another barrier by welcoming one million visitors and earning one billion in gross foreign exchange earnings during the first two months of this year. This is unprecedented in the country’s tourism history,” Bartlett added.

Donovan White, Director of tourist, Jamaica Tourist Board commented, “We continue to work with our tourism partners across the globe to ensure that our tourism offerings remain top-of-the-line. Jamaica provides unique and authentic experiences that keep visitors keep coming back.”

The Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica will host the CHTA’s 42nd Caribbean Travel Marketplace on May 20-22. The Jamaica Tourist Board has indicated that the event will draw 150 buyer firms and around 1,000 delegates.