Jamaica to welcome historic 2 million visitors in first five months of 2024
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett reported that Jamaica recorded two million visitors in the first five months of the year. Preliminary data shows that from January to May, the island welcomed 1,265,830 stopover visitors and 745,812 cruise passengers. This represents an 8.5 percent increase in visitor numbers and $1.9 billion in revenue.
Making the announcement at the Reggae Sumfest launch on Thursday, May 30, the Minister said, “We are seeing the fruits of our joint efforts and I am pleased that through public-private partnerships, our tourism product continues to enjoy high popularity. For the first time, Jamaica recorded historic figures of two million visitors in the first five months of the year, which is a testament to the confidence our partners and visitors have in the destination.”
The Minister also commended the festival organisers and highlighted the impact the festival has had on tourism growth over the years, adding, “Since 2016, Reggae Sumfest has attracted approximately 175,000 visitors, of which 35,000 are visitors. Aside from these impressive figures, the festival also injects US$20 million into the local economy every year. This is why we continue to partner with the festival to attract more visitors to the island and increase the economic benefits for the local community.”
Founded in 1993, Reggae Sumfest is billed as Jamaica and the Caribbean’s largest music festival, taking place annually in Montego Bay in mid-July. Each year, thousands of people from around the country and abroad flock to the country’s tourist capital for a week-long series of festivities, culminating in two nights of major performances.
“The Reggae Sumfest brand has distinguished itself as an iconic, must-see event for both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, from a marketing perspective, it has a fantastic ability to showcase the rich tapestry of Jamaica’s cultural heritage,” said Tourism Director General Donovan White.
Projections for the island in 2024 show visitor numbers at 4.58 million and revenue rising 9.6% to US$4.38 billion.
