TORONTO — Jamaica  is celebrating its strong visitor numbers, hitting the 1.7 million mark as of May 7.

Based on preliminary data, the island recorded 1,016,185 stopover arrivals and over 700,000 cruise passengers, earning roughly US$1.8 billion in revenue.

This represents a 4.6% increase in stopover arrivals and a 23% increase in cruise passengers compared to the same period in 2023.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett noted that the island is on track to welcome 5 million visitors and earn US$5 billion by 2025.

“We are grateful to see continued growth in our arrivals and earnings, which speaks to the confidence our tourism partners and visitors have in the destination. To hit the 1.7 million arrivals mark is an outstanding feat and speaks to the commitment and hard work of our tourism team led by the heart of our industry – our workers,” said Minister Bartlett.

He added: “Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Jamaica is on its way to achieving an unprecedented milestone. With one million stopover arrivals and over seven hundred thousand cruise passengers up to the first week of May, we are in a good position to make it happen. We will continue to aggressively market the destination and work assiduously with our partners to get there.”

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, added, “Jamaica remains a premier destination that is highly sought after for its authentic experiences. Whether it’s our food, music or entertainment, there is a vibe that only comes alive in Jamaica.”