Jamaica’s tourism sector is definitely on the rebound surpassing 200-thousand visitors since the sector was reopened in June having been closed in April to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In fact, the sector has recorded more than 211-thousand visitor arrivals resulting in tourism earnings of $231.9 million. Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, who made the announcement last week, disclosed that hotel occupancy continues to rise, and is projecting a 40 per cent increase in arrivals for the upcoming winter season, which starts next month.

Pointing out that some hotels are reporting as such as 60% occupancy inclusive of both locals and overseas visitors, Minister Bartlett declared his cautious optimism for Jamaica’s tourism recovery.

Speaking at the just-concluded, first-ever virtual staging of Jamaica’s premier tourism trade show—Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX)—Bartlett was particularly pleased that some hotels have reported as much as 90% bookings around the holiday weekends.

He emphasised that continuing this growth is essential for Jamaica to get tourism back on track, where last year the island welcomed 4.3 million visitors, earning some US$3.7 billion, which contributed 9.5 per cent to the island’s national output and generated some 170,000 direct jobs.

The minister’s confidence in tourism returning to pre-covid levels is based on the fact that airlifts are returning to Jamaica. 

Airlifts coming back to Jamaica

He told JAPEX that most of the major airlines serving Jamaica are increasing service to the island, as the demand picks up. Among such carriers, Bartlett listed were American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United, Southwest and Air Canada. 

He pointed to a report in which internet search engine, Expedia stated that searches for Jamaica’s Montego Bay were up 15 per cent in July making the island among the most-searched-for destinations in the Caribbean.

Minister Bartlett underscored his government’s commitment to rebuilt tourism, which he said will play a key role in Jamaica’s economic recovery, pointing to the proactive measures implemented by the Holness administration to ensure the island’s tourism product that is safe, attractive for visitors, and economically viable for all tourism stakeholders.