ST JAMES, Jamaica – American actress Angelina Jolie is among the increasing number of celebrities vacationing in Jamaica in recent months.

An upbeat Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett described the development as reward for the robust marketing by the Ministry of Tourism.

“Making Jamaica their place of choice for a vacation is testimony to the post-Covid impression we have made and the appeal that we now have in the marketplace as well as confidence in what we offer as a leading destination,” Bartlett said.

Jolie was the most recent celebrity to grace Jamaica’s shores. The American actress was spotted Saturday at the 15th Calabash International Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, which has become a cultural mecca that attracts thousands of writers and literary enthusiasts from across the globe.

Another celebrity recently on the island was top US rapper ‘2Chainz’ whose real name is Tauheed Epps. He stood out at a party at Elevate Lounge and Nightclub in Montego Bay Wednesday night for the launch of Mochafest Jamaica 2023.

Mocha Fest is an Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean destination festival brand that promotes freedom of self and expression and since 2014, has been creating life-changing vacation experiences for thousands of people across the world.

The series of party events started as a single festival in Jamaica with only 200 people and has now grown to multiple destinations worldwide with events as large as 5,000 attendees.

‘2Chainz’ was joined by senior advisor and strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, other government officials and scores of largely American party vacationers. He has been sharing his time in Jamaica with his over 12 million Instagram followers, giving the country tremendous exposure.

‘2Chainz’ and Angelina Jolie join a slew of other celebrities and dignitaries, including Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and his family; U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen; Maryland Governor Wes Moore; Hollywood screen actors Michael Douglas, his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Amos and Tracee Ellis Ross; Nigerian Afrobeat mega-star Burna Boy as well as American music stars Dua Lipa, Cardi B, Offset, Rick Ross, Omarion and Chance the Rapper, who have made Jamaica their preferred vacation spot in recent months.

Coming out of the best winter tourist season ever, Jamaica is now set to achieve record visitor arrivals for the summer.

“As of May 10, 2023, the island has welcomed just over 1.5 million total visitors, with provisional gross earnings exceeding US$ 1.6 billion for the same period. The 2023 summer is gearing up to be the best summer in the history of tourism in Jamaica,” Bartlett said in a press release from his ministry.