With cruise passengers accounting for a major variety of vacationers to the island, the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism is concentrating on a rise on this sub-sector of the journey business.
Having secured a landmark 1.2 million cruise passengers in 2024, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says by means of the Jamaica Holidays Restricted (JAMVAC), a public physique of the Ministry, “we are going to work with international companions to increase cruise tourism choices that profit locals immediately, from new cruise village tasks to craft and cultural showcases that display genuine Jamaican creativity.”
He famous that the guests travelled to the island on ships operated by varied main cruise strains, together with inaugural visits from prestigious vessels like Disney Treasure and Celeb Ascent.
“Unlocking the Energy of Cruise Tourism”
That is certainly one of 15 strategic pillars that Minister Bartlett revealed to Parliament in his Sectoral Debate presentation on Tuesday (June 17, 2025), to information the ministry’s work within the 2025/2026 fiscal yr.
He additionally talked about that there was a collection of seminars with over 230 producers coming collectively to discover making a tourism provide logistics centre. What that may do, he identified, is to make sure that the provision wants are met. Underscoring the significance of this proposal, Minister Bartlett identified that “the wealth of tourism is within the provide facet and there’s a want to know that it’s the consumption sample of the customer that must be met, and as soon as that’s met then the wealth stays within the vacation spot.”
Minister Bartlett mentioned: “We now have been speaking with a few of our massive companions, significantly the cruise strains, and they’re prepared and keen to take Jamaican manufactured items.”
Having been pushing that message over time, he felt that “we’re lastly getting there and we’re taking a look at many different areas to satisfy the wants of the customer and to safe a consumption sample that may allow the wealth to remain in Jamaica.”
Minister Bartlett talked about that underneath a particular “Native First” initiative laws is to be handed, and incentives launched to make sure higher participation of Jamaican producers, farmers, creatives, and professionals within the tourism provide chain. He mentioned this strategy is to make sure that extra native cash stays in Jamaican arms and circulates by means of communities.
Citing the success of the Agri-Linkages Trade (ALEX) digital platform, which hyperlinks farmers immediately with buying officers in inns, Minister Bartlett mentioned the brand new initiative being pursued builds immediately on that framework and Jamaica’s achievement of 40.8% tourism greenback retention.
He highlighted the truth that “tourism has blossomed far past an business—it has grow to be the very heartbeat of Jamaica, fuelling prosperity, progress, and unity all through each group and sector.” He added that “we’ve witnessed tourism ignite unprecedented progress in our agricultural fields, uplifting our farmers and revitalizing rural economies, and we’ve seen our manufacturing sector thrive, proudly delivering Jamaican-made items that stand tall on the worldwide stage.”
