The year in tourism – A phoenix moment
Reprinted from the Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Sunday | January 7, 2024
Janet Silvera – Senior Gleaner Writer
The year 2023 stands as a testament to the resilience and collaborative efforts that fuelled the remarkable recovery of tourism in Jamaica.
The strength of this recovery can be attributed to the robust collaboration between industry stakeholders and the Government, through the Ministry of Tourism.
During an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett highlighted the pivotal partnerships forged with airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, and global allies. Jamaica’s role as a thought leader in various tourism sectors has significantly influenced the global perception of the destination, shaping it into a preferred choice for travelers worldwide, he said.
The industry was not merely recovering in 2023; it was thriving in the competitive marketplace that rebounded from the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. An atmosphere of excitement enveloped Jamaica as it surpassed its 2019 tourist arrival numbers, reporting an impressive four million stopover and cruise visitors in 2023, with earnings soaring to an impressive US$4.2 billion.
