It’s been a stellar yr for tourism in Jamaica, with the island on observe to see some 4,122,100 customer arrivals for the interval January to December 2023.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett mentioned this might signify a 23.7 % improve over the 2022 determine. Of this quantity, 2,875,549 are anticipated to be stopover guests, which might signify a 16 % improve over the quantity recorded final yr.
“Moreover, we anticipate to finish the yr with a complete of 1,246,551 cruise passengers, which might signify a 46.1 % improve over the tally for 2022.
“This continues the spectacular progress sample of tourism, each when it comes to customer arrivals in addition to for earnings. Certainly, now we have gone 10 consecutive quarters for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic, exhibiting important progress,” Bartlett mentioned.
He offered the replace throughout an announcement on Tuesday, December 12.
The inflow of holiday makers is predicted to generate US$4.265 billion in tourism earnings for 2023, representing a projected improve of 17.8 % over complete inflows for 2022, and a 17.2 % spike over the out-turn for the pre-pandemic yr of 2019.
An extra breakdown of those estimated revenues, to particularly embrace direct inflows to the federal government’s coffers, are Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) charges, which go to the Consolidated Fund, US$57.5 million or J$8.9 billion.
There’s additionally the Departure Tax of US$100.6 million or J$15.6 billion; Airport Enchancment Charges – US$28.8 million or J$4.47 billion; Airline Passenger Levy – US$57.5 million or J$8.9 billion; Passenger Charges and Expenses – US$69 million or J$10.7 billion; and the Visitor Lodging Room Tax (GART) – US$22.6 million or J$3.5 billion.
“Whole total, only for this yr… is US$336 million or J$52 billion into the financial system, even earlier than the vacationers begin to breathe air on this nation,” Mr. Bartlett mentioned.
