Jamaica ‘recovered and growing by 2023’ says tourism minister
Will PayneJamaica expects its tourism sector to be "fully recovered and growing" from the impacts of the Covid pandemic by 2023, the country’s tourism minister Edmund Bartlett has told TTG.
The island is on track to welcome 200,000 British visitors – a record number – by the end of the year, with global arrival numbers reaching four million.
Speaking on Wednesday (27 April), Bartlett said the recovery projection came after Jamaica’s tourism ministry met with trade partners earlier in the pandemic to secure airlift.
"So by 2023, Jamaica will be fully recovered and growing," he added. "We will have pretty close to four million visitors and earning well in excess of $4 billion from the industry.
"This record number of British nationals to Jamaica is a sign that the destination is well on its way to recovery. It also speaks to our assurance of a safe, seamless and authentic experience in Jamaica.
"Usually, we welcome around 15,000 British visitors monthly, and this increase is a positive sign that we doing what we set out to do, which is to recover well."
The figures come as the island celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence by launching a range of new product for 2022, including The Kingston Biennial Exhibition: Pressure; The Independence Village; the Jamaica Rum Festival; and the Reggae Sumfest.
Bartlett said he was also seeking investment for a new oceanarium saltwater aquarium in Montego Bay.
"New attractions are emerging," he continued, describing the oceanarium project as a "multi-dimensional maritime experience" with "strong gastronomy, music and entertainment options".
"But also with responsible scientific management. There will be a research centre which will enable us to do more with marine conservation and the management of our marine ecology, so it’s a win-win," he added.
The Kingston Biennial Exhibition: Pressure will open in the National Gallery of Jamaica on 26 June and The Independence Village is an annual festival held in the week before Independence Day and the Grand Gala on 6 August at the National Arena in Kingston.
Jamaica Rum Festival will celebrate Jamaica’s rum, art and music culture on 2 June, while the Reggae Sumfest encourages visitors to immerse themselves in sound at Jamaica’s largest annual music festival between 20 and 23 July.
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