Tourism industry looking up for Jamaica in 2023

Jamaica saw a GDP decline of close to 9% during the first half of the pandemic but since the Jamaica C5 form became available in July 2020, things have been looking up.

The 2023 forecast shows an 11% increase in incoming tourist figures compared to 2022, a welcome prospect for a suffering economy.

The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett released a statement expressing his satisfaction with the latest figures and explaining how large the impact of tourism on Jamaica’s economy is.

-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.

It isn’t just the tourism sector that is showing promise. Jamaica’s foreign exchange earnings for 2023 are also predicted to reach US$4,122.4 million, a whopping 13.3% growth on 2023’s earnings.

The largest market growth in the previous period came from Canada with a 38.7% increase in its market share. The USA also showed steady growth with a 7% increase while Eastern European Markets grew by 5% overall.

At the end of 2022, Jamaica had already reported a 6% increase in travelers from the UK compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019.

These positive figures were shared during the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR, which was held in Spain in January 2023.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, was full of praise for the valuable tourism partners that helped the industry bounce back.

-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 - he said.

In 2022, Jamaica saw 3.3 million tourists on its shores, generating an estimated US$3.636 billion in revenue.

These figures have surpassed early predictions and Jamaica is set to recover to pre-COVID figures as much as a year ahead of schedule.

The Jamaican Tourism Board said in a statement that "as the destination recovery has outpaced earlier projections, there is a high possibility that full recovery could be realized a year earlier than predicted."

White also explained that the board is targeting new potential visitors through an “integrated sales and marketing strategy embedded in the pervasive use of new technologies.”

With this, Jamaica has been able to “leapfrog its own projections” by tapping into “new and emerging markets.”

What to see and do in Jamaica

If you find yourself longing for white sandy beaches, delicious rum drinks, and vibrant new culture, Jamaica should be top of your 2023 travel list. Here are some of the fabulous things you can look forward to in Jamaica:

Work on your tan

Without a doubt, Jamaica is a beach destination. So pack in your sandals and swimsuit and hit any of the 50 public beaches around the island to spoil yourself with a tropical setting like no other. Splash in the turquoise shallows of pristine Seven Mile Beach in Negril, or live the high life at Sandals in Montego Bay. Whatever you do, schedule plenty of time in the sun and even more time in the clear calm water.

Learn About the culture

Jamaican culture is in one word “colorful”. Sink your teeth into as much of the local scene as you can by eating at off-the-tourist-track spots and joining local events. On weekends, Winnifred Beach on the north coast becomes a hotspot for Jamaicans looking for a good time. Mountains of jerk chicken and cold beverages make their rounds while the bass is blaring and the bodies are bouncing.

Eat good food

You did not experience Jamaica to the fullest if you haven’t eaten your body weight in jerk pork or chicken. The meat is marinated in Scotch bonnet chilies, allspice, garlic, thyme, and spring onion and smoked to perfection. Drizzle some homemade hot sauce on your serving and you have yourself an earth-shatteringly good meal. Wash it down with a Bob Marley Cocktail and you are winning at life.

Embrace the music

Speaking of Bob Marley, embrace as much reggae as you can. Visit the Bob Marley museum to learn about one of the most prolific pioneers of the genre and attend some live music events to fully immerse yourself. If you are feeling very adventurous you can even attend a whole festival like Reggae Sumfest to truly earn your black, yellow, and green colors.

(Telegraf.rs/PR)