Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has reported that Jamaica has recorded a historic two million visitors within the first five months of the year. 

Preliminary data has highlighted that the island welcomed 1,265,830 stopover arrivals and 745,812 cruise passengers from January to May. This translates to an 8.5 per cent increase in arrivals and US$1.9 billion in earnings.

The minister, who made the announcement at the launch on Reggae Sumfest last Thursday (May 30), said, “We are seeing the fruits of our collective labour and I am pleased that through public and private sector partnerships, our tourism product continues to be highly sought after”.

“For the first time, Jamaica has recorded this historic figure of two million visitors within the first five months of the year and this is testament to the confidence our partners and visitors have in the destination,” Bartlett explained.

The minister also applauded the festival’s organisers while highlighting the impact it has had on tourism’s growth over the years.

“Since 2016, Reggae Sumfest has seen approximately 175,000 patrons with 35,000 being visitors. Outside of these impressive numbers, the festival injects US$20 million annually into the local economy. This is why we continue to partner with the festival to attract more visitors to the island and increase the economic benefit for our communities,” he added.

Reggae Sumfest, which began in 1993, has been dubbed the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean, taking place each year in mid-July in Montego Bay.

Each year, thousands of local and international music enthusiasts flock to the tourism capital for a weeklong set of festivities that culminate in two nights of major performances. 

“The Reggae Sumfest brand has stood out as an iconic and must-see event for both local and international visitors. Moreover, on a marketing note, it has had the remarkable ability to showcase the rich tapestry of Jamaica’s cultural heritage,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.

The island’s forecast for 2024 is 4.58 million visitors with a 9.6 per cent increase in earnings of US$4.38 billion.

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