Jamaica On Track For More Gains In 2023
Jamaica is forecasting that the destination is on track to achieve 11% growth in 2023. That good news comes on the heels of Jamaica’s strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic fallout.
As well, gross foreign exchange earnings for the 2023 calendar year are also forecasted to reach US$4.12 billion, an estimated 13.3% increase on the previous year’s earnings.
The announcement was made at FITUR, the largest tourism trade show held annually in Spain. With thousands of participants each year, the fair is the global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.
Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, said: “Jamaica’s tourism is back, and our recovery continues to outpace our earlier projections. We are now in growth mode and to achieve this in double digits for this year is huge. It will mean more jobs and more earnings for workers and the island’s economy. Tourism is Jamaica’s lifeblood and driver of economic growth and the industry’s growth means the country’s growth.”
The projected growth is based on Jamaica’s primary markets registering growth over the previous period, with Canada strengthening its position to deliver 38.7% growth, the U.S. showing steady growth of 7%, and UK/Europe primarily demonstrating growth of 5.3% through the Eastern European markets.
Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White made it clear that: “We could not achieve these successes without our partners. Our airline partners, tour operators, travel agents and so many more have contributed to the destination remaining top of mind and accelerating our recovery. The Jamaica Tourist Board’s focus on an integrated sales and marketing strategy, which is embedded in the pervasive use of new technologies along with a focus on new and emerging markets, has allowed the destination to leapfrog its own projections for growth.”
Last year, Jamaica welcomed 3.3 million visitors and registered a remarkable recovery of earnings compared to pre-COVID earnings of 2019, with total estimated revenue of US$3.63 billion. As the destination recovery has outpaced earlier projections, there is a high possibility that full recovery could be realized a year earlier than predicted.
Go to www.visitjamaica.com for more.
In the photo
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre) is joined by senior members of his tourism team at the Jamaica stand at FITUR, being held in Spain from January 17 to 22, 2023. (L to R): Gregory Shervington, Regional Director, Continental Europe, Jamaica Tourist Board; Donovan White, Director of Tourism; Chevannes Barragan De Luyz, Business Development Officer, Jamaica Tourist Board; and Delano Seiveright, Senior Communications Strategist.
