Having recovered rapidly from Hurricane Beryl, tourism to Jamaica is rising fast as the Caribbean island records nearly 2.5 million tourists so far in the current year and is witnessing a strong third and fourth quarter. 

In a press statement, Jamaica Tourist Board says that considering both stopover and cruise arrivals, it is close to 2.5 million visitors in 2024 and that the record total for the island is part of a broader plan to reach 5 million visitors by next year.

The statement adds that the island was trending very strongly in June, too, with tickets for international arrivals up 5 pc in the second half of June. 

The board says that post-Beryl Jamaica has recently seen a swift recovery to 2023 levels, suggesting the initial hurricane impact was short-lived.

To drive more tourism to the island, a hotel boom is underway in Jamaica. In an update on the pipeline for new hotels, the Government of Jamaica has announced new hotel projects worth USD 2.5 billion will be executed in the coming years. 

JTB says that the island’s room count will increase by 2,000 rooms this year and by 20,000 in the next 5-10 years. 

It says that this transformation of the hotel industry of Jamaica will boost the Jamaican tourism industry and will also create more job opportunities for the local people.

The upcoming properties include Amaterra Resort development at Stewart Castle, Trelawny in Palm Beach Villas, Hardrock Hotel and Casino, Princess Resort, Sandals Dunn’s River Golf Resort and Spa, Viva Wyndham, Secrets Resorts, Riu, Harmonisation, Villa Janus and Unico 18°77° Hotel Montego Bay. 

JTB adds that the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa is slated to add 900 rooms to its existing inventory of 1,040, as well as a conference centre. 

The Holiday Inn Montego Bay, which was recently acquired by Spanish-owned Catalonia Resorts and Hotels, will add 250 units to its current inventory of 510 as the brand makes its debut in Jamaica.

Dunn’s River Falls

Dunn’s River Falls and Park, Ocho Rios, is set to add a two-storey restaurant and a bar that seats over 150 persons (Photo: India Outbound)

The statement adds that Jamaica is also aiming at providing tourists and authentic rustic Jamaican experience. Dunn’s River Falls and Park, Ocho Rios, is set to add a two-storey restaurant and a bar that seats over 150 persons. 

The restaurant will overlook the cascading falls and will give prime view of the falls to further enhance visitors’ experiences. 

The objective for the development of a new restaurant and bar is to allow the world-renowned attraction to improve its offerings to cater to the fulsome needs of the growing culinary tourism market.