KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica has welcomed over one million cruise passengers this year, contributing more than US$200 million to the local economy.
“Jamaica’s cruise activities have stood [their] ground,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, noting the economic significance of cruise tourism to the country.
He said cruise tourism has the highest level of convertibility of the dollar, providing immediate economic benefits to local vendors and small business owners.
“While in other areas of tourism, you have months, sometimes, to wait [on the dollar], with cruise tourism, it is instant convertibility,” Bartlett said, adding, “The dollar gets into their pockets immediately, and the little man in Ocho Rios has an opportunity to go and pay his bills immediately after the cruise ship leaves in any day,”
Bartlett underscored the transformative power of cruise tourism for towns like Ocho Rios, which now accounts for nearly one-third of all cruise passengers arriving in Jamaica.
He praised the efforts of global cruise partners and urged them to continue supporting Jamaica’s tourism industry.
In the meantime, Bartlett said Jamaica is positioning itself as a global leader in health and wellness tourism, combining its rich cultural heritage and natural resources to attract travelers seeking transformative experiences.
“Today’s travelers seek more than leisure; they are searching for experiences that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Bartlett, who delivered the keynote address virtually at the sixth Annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference.
The tourism sector’s impact continues to grow, with 4.3 million visitors expected in 2024 and projected revenue of US$4.5 billion.
“This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about creating a sustainable future for our communities,” Bartlett said, outlining six global trends that Jamaica intends to capitalize on personalized wellness experiences, technology integration, nature-based health tourism, luxury medical tourism, sustainable wellness practices, and cultural immersion.
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