Jamaica’s tourism sector is demonstrating robust and consistent growth, with the island welcoming 2.3 million visitors and generating USD 2.4 billion in tourism revenue between January and June 2025. These impressive figures were announced by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during the recent ‘Christmas in July’ trade show in Kingston, an event that championed local entrepreneurship and inclusive tourism development.
This data signifies a promising path for Jamaica’s tourism recovery and highlights the island’s enduring appeal as a premier Caribbean destination for travelers worldwide, including the burgeoning Indian market. Based on current trends, Jamaica is projected to exceed 3 million stopover arrivals by the end of the year.
Innovative Projects on the Horizon
Jamaica is also preparing for significant new developments, including the Caribbean’s tallest hotel and its first Tourism Innovation Township in Montego Bay. This ambitious project, anchored by a 33-story Moon Palace resort, will encompass over 5,000 hotel rooms. It will be supported by essential social infrastructure such as a STEM school, supermarkets, healthcare facilities, and various community services. Designed to operate on a circular economy model, the township will generate and manage its own electricity and water, while actively promoting the use of locally produced goods within the hospitality sector.
Further expansion plans, including new Sandals and AC Marriott properties, are expected to add more than 10,000 hotel rooms to Montego Bay by 2030. This expansion reinforces Jamaica’s position as a forward-thinking, investment-friendly tourism destination.
Empowering Local Businesses: ‘Christmas in July’
Now in its eleventh year, the ‘Christmas in July’ initiative, held at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, showcased 180 Jamaican producers, including 106 first-time participants. The diverse range of products featured aromatherapy, fashion, food items, and artisanal crafts, specifically tailored for the hospitality industry, cruise retail, and corporate gifting. This initiative, backed by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), has generated over $135 million in sales since its inception, simultaneously helping Jamaican products reach international markets.
Minister Bartlett emphasized the critical importance of greater community involvement in the tourism economy, stating: “Every handcrafted product on display represents one of the pillars in the journey to link tourism to the prosperity of all Jamaicans.”
This program is an integral part of Jamaica’s broader Tourism Linkages Network and plays a crucial role in fostering a more resilient, self-sustaining tourism model. It also creates avenues for collaboration with Indian travel trade professionals and buyers.
