According to official data, approximately 46,000 of the arrivals were stopover visitors, while around 30,000 passengers arrived via cruise ships, highlighting balanced demand across both air and cruise segments. Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica has welcomed a total of 370,000 visitors, generating estimated earnings of USD331.2 million. These figures reinforce the island’s position as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism destinations despite recent disruptions.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett welcomed the strong start to the season, while emphasising that recovery efforts go beyond arrival statistics. “Our recovery is not only about increasing visitor numbers,” the Minister said. “It is also about ensuring that the men and women who power our tourism industry are supported as we build back stronger. These numbers equate to USD331.2 million in earnings and mean real jobs for our workers and earnings for the country’s economy.”
Support for tourism workers remains a central pillar of Jamaica’s recovery strategy. More than JMD 2 billion has been earmarked to assist workers in stabilising their livelihoods, meeting household needs, and remaining actively engaged in the sector’s recovery. A key initiative is the Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme (THARP), which supports tourism workers whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The programme is initially assisting more than 150 workers, with a target of reaching over 5,000 tourism workers by its completion.
“Investing in tourism workers remains central to building a more resilient and inclusive tourism industry- one that delivers benefits not just to businesses and visitors, but to Jamaican families and communities across the island,” the Minister added.
With the winter season now underway, industry stakeholders remain optimistic that continued growth in arrivals, combined with sustained support for workers, will further strengthen Jamaica’s economic recovery and long-term tourism development. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, underlined ongoing industry confidence, stating: “Our partners and stakeholders continue to invest in the island’s tourism recovery which highlights a deep sense of confidence that we will build back even better.”
The Ministry of Tourism continues to engage with stakeholders to strengthen labour market arrangements across the sector, focusing on job security and long-term support for tourism workers as recovery efforts progress.
