The cruise industry continues to recovery in Jamaica, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
The island is seeing an uptick in cruise passengers, following the arrival of 855,000 people in 2022.
Another 1.4 million passengers are projected to arrive during this calendar year, Bartlett said.
“While the numbers are not yet back up to our standards, we have been getting our fair share of the market. Last December we welcomed the largest cruise ship in the World [the Wonder of the Seas] and Royal Caribbean have committed to sending us more of their Oasis class vessels,” he suggested.
Royal Caribbean, Bartlett said, has committed to sending more passengers overall to Jamaica.
That’s the product of an agreement reached at the recent Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference in Santo Domingo.
Jamaica, like several other Caribbean destinations, most notably Antigua, is also looking to increase its homeporting operations.
“As a result, Jamaica’s homeporting opportunities have expanded, and we have seen a rise from 25 per cent to 40 per cent in pre/post cruise extension visits,” Bartlett said.
“The growth of cruise tourism in Jamaica presents a significant opportunity to drive the resurgence of the tourism industry, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic growth of our country. We remain committed to providing world-class experiences to all our visitors and ensuring that Jamaica remains a top tourist destination,” he said.