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According to Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Jamaica received 1.18 million visitors between January and March of 2023. This was the best winter tourism season recorded and set the nation’s travel industry on the path to continuing increases for the foreseeable future. The growth rate in the number of visitors to Jamaica in early 2023 represented a 94.4 percent increase over the same three-month period in 2022.

Read: Jamaica Included on Top 10 List of Google Flights Searched by Canadians

Earnings in the Billions Comparative to 2022 period

The winter’s visitors also brought record-breaking earnings of $1.15 billion to Jamaica, an increase of 46.4 percent over the same period in 2022, which saw earnings of $786.8 million. Bartlett also announced that arrivals in Jamaica rose 117 percent in 2022, earnings for 2022 rose by 71.4 percent, year-over-year, in comparison to 2021, and the island welcomed 3.3 million visitors in 2022 when the industry generated $3.7 billion for the national economy. There was a notable post-COVID-outbreak trend in 2022 when travel from the United States to Jamaica experienced a surge. Also in 2022, Jamaica had its best summer season ever in terms of traveler arrivals.

Projected Tourism Earnings in the Billions for 2024

Projected earnings for the island’s tourism industry in 2024 are expected to bring in some $4.1 billion. Bartlett told Jamaica’s Parliament that the tourism industry is poised to transform the country, and its communities, and improve the lives and livelihoods of Jamaica’s people. The continued growth in the industry has given rise to projections that the national economy grew by between three and five percent from January through March 2023, compared to the same months in 2022. The growth rate is attributed to robust performance from hotels and restaurants.

At no other time in history has tourism had such a significant impact on contributions to the country’s economy, Bartlett said, noting that the government is willing to make contributions to the process so that all Jamaicans may share in the success of the tourism industry. Investments in the tourism industry have grown over the past five years, with investment in tourism representing 20 percent of Jamaica’s total foreign direct investments.

 One of Jamaica’s larger income earning industry

Bartlett believes that investment over the next five to ten years will also add more to the industry, with a number of pending projects expected to add 15,000 to 20,000 new rooms on the island at a total value of between $4 billion and $5 billion. This will make tourism the biggest driver of economic growth and prosperity in Jamaica for many years to come, Bartlett added.

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Three all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica are among the Top 50 on a list compiled by the Caribbean Journal magazine. They include The Caves, Sandals Montego Bay, and Excellence Oyster Bay.

Ranked at Number 10, The Caves in Negril has always enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best places to stay when visiting Jamaica. The boutique property features authentic jerk barbeques and the excellent Blackwell Rum Bar. The Caves was a winner of Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice Award in 2019. Located at Negril’s West End near the limestone cliffs and next to the Negril Lighthouse, the resort features 11 handcrafted cottages made of wood and stone with thatched roofs. There is also a four-bedroom, self-contained luxury villa on offer on the resort’s ten acres of natural volcanic caves and lush tropical flora. Guests can explore the area on winding stone paths through the limestone cliffs and enjoy vistas of palms, sea grape, and dogwood trees growing above the Caribbean Sea. Coral stairways and walkways lead to sundecks with sea-and-sky views and grottos featuring pools of clear water and marine fossils. Snorkelers can enjoy the tropical reef system that abuts the edge of the cliff, and guests can use provided ladders to climb down into the sea, while the more adventurous can jump from various points along the way. The Caves is the ideal sport adults-only spot for romantic getaways and relaxing vacations.

With its nearly 270 rooms, Sandals Montego Bay is ranked at Number 40. This is the first Sandals Resorts location developed and has been the site of extensive renovations over the years as its operators strive to create the perfect, innovative retreat in Montego Bay. The resort has been voted the leading resort accommodation in Jamaica three years in a row by Trip Advisor. Perfect as a destination wedding site, there is a new wedding lounge and bridal suite, plus an overwater chapel providing spectacular ocean views. Also featured are new swim-up honeymoon butler suites with patio or balcony soaking tubs. All of the amenities of Sandals Montego Bay are part of full exchange privileges with free transfers to the sister resort of Sandals Royal Caribbean, including 12 gourmet dining options and an overwater bar. The resort features the biggest exclusive white-sand beach on the island.

Excellence Oyster Bay takes the Number 44 sport. This adults-only all-inclusive resort accommodation is located on a private peninsula outside Falmouth that features turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and mangrove lagoons. Dining options are excellent, and the daily schedule is packed with activities. The resort offers a combination of Jamaican hospitality, modern luxury, and the natural beauties of Montego Bay. It is located just half an hour from the airport and provides the relaxing escape that vacationers are looking for. Excellence Oyster Bay has received prestigious honors and awards from the travel industry and has been recognized by top travel experts, its guests, and the media for providing a top travel experience.

Photo – Official Facebook Pages for Sandals Montego Bay, The Caves Hotel & Excellence Oyster Bay

The post 3 Jamaican Properties Included on List of Top 50 Caribbean Inclusive Resorts appeared first on Jamaicans.com.

Gabriel Lim, who is from Guyana, made history representing Jamaica College when he won the high school boys’ javelin title on the first day of the 127th staging of the Penn Relays held at Philadelphia’s Franklin Field on April 27, 2023. Lim is the first Jamaica in history to win this event and the only Jamaican competing in the event this year. He is also the first Guyanese to win the javelin event at the Penn Relays, and his throw also extended the Javelin Junior National record of Guyana. Lim, who won the silver medal at the 2023 ISSA champs tournament, won the Penn title with a throw of 61.24 meters.

Read: Jamaica College Makes History at World Robotics Competition.

Other athletes from Jamaican high schools who turned in exceptional performances on the first day of the relays were Kobe Lawrence of Calabar High School who kept his title in the shot put, Demario Prince of St. Jago who won the long jump event, and Trevon Hamer, also from Guyana and competing for Jamaica College, was the winner of the triple jump.

Gabriel Lim and Trevon Hamer are among a number of athletes who received track and field scholarships to Jamaica via the King Medas Pansy Adonis (KMPA) Foundation. Hamer was the only competitor in the triple jump to go over 15 meters with a jump of 15.17 meters to win. He also won a bronze medal in the triple jump for Guyana at the 2023 CARIFTA Games in the Boys’ U20 category.

KMPA promotes the importance of sports to athletes, coaches, parents, and the nation of Guyana overall. Its mission is to make track and field the dominant sport in the country by giving its athletes the means to follow their dreams and perform at optimal levels at major championship tournaments around the world. It provides all-expense-paid scholarships to athletes to travel to Jamaica where they receive free board, books, school, meals, and training. Andy Medas-King, the founder of KMPA, believes the approach of Jamaica to sports is impressive and praises its focus on bringing out the best in athletes through planning and development.

The Penn Relays, a tournament also known as the Penn Relays Carnival, is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States. It has been staged every year since April 21, 1895, by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field.

Photo – Deposit Photos

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