Jamaica earns US$956M as visitor arrivals top one million in first quarter

Jamaica recorded more than one million visitor arrivals and earned US$956 million in the first quarter of 2026, a major milestone achieved just five months after the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who disclosed the figures during a diaspora reception at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, described the performance as “resilience in action”.

He credited the Jamaican diaspora as a critical force behind the recovery, noting that their advocacy helped to counter negative perceptions and sustain interest in the destination following the hurricane.

“Before a traveller ever books a ticket… they often hear about Jamaica through you,” Bartlett told the gathering, urging Jamaicans overseas to continue promoting the island.

The strong first-quarter performance comes amid steady restoration of the island’s tourism infrastructure, with major hotel properties returning to operation in recent months.

Among them is the reopening of Eclipse at Half Moon, which restored its beachfront rooms to the luxury inventory, as well as the resumption of operations at Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay, St Ann, where some 800 hotel workers have returned to their jobs.

Bartlett said the recovery has been driven by the rapid return of room stock and visitor arrivals, supported by continued investment across the sector.

He also pointed to the industry’s performance in 2025 as evidence of its resilience, noting that despite the impact of the hurricane, Jamaica welcomed 3.7 million visitors, including 2.6 million stopover arrivals and 1.1 million cruise passengers, generating an estimated US$4.09 billion in earnings.

The minister argued that tourism’s strength lies not only in visitor numbers, but in its wider economic impact, particularly through linkages with local industries.

He also underscored the growing importance of destination reputation in driving travel decisions, referencing his book Destination Reputational Resilience, co-authored with Professor Lloyd Waller.

Bartlett said that in an era of global misinformation, the diaspora plays a key role in shaping how Jamaica is perceived internationally.

“Every time you speak positively about Jamaica… you are strengthening our country’s resilience,” he said.

He urged Jamaicans abroad to continue sharing the country’s story and encouraging travel, describing them as among Jamaica’s most powerful ambassadors.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

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