KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica recorded a 25.1 per cent year-over-year increase in arrivals from the Caribbean in 2024, according to Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

Caribbean stopover arrivals to Jamaica reached 88,200, up from 70,488 in 2023 and 50,154 in 2022, representing a 75.9 per cent growth over the two years.

This means the Caribbean now accounts for three per cent of Jamaica’s total visitor arrivals, up from two per cent in 2022. The ministry cited strong diaspora connections, improved regional air connectivity and strategic airlift partnerships, and growing interest in cultural exchange and intra-Caribbean travel experiences for the boom.

“The consistent growth in arrivals from our Caribbean neighbours demonstrates Jamaica’s strong regional appeal and the effectiveness of our targeted marketing efforts within the Caribbean community,” said Bartlett. “This growth is particularly impressive as it outpaces several of our traditional markets and signals new opportunities for sustainable tourism expansion.”

The Cayman Islands remains Jamaica’s largest Caribbean source market with 31,111 visitors in 2024, a 27.3 per cent increase over 2023. Trinidad & Tobago recorded 14,219 visitors, an increase of 34.9 per cent, followed by The Bahamas with 8,040 visitors, a 26.3 per cent spike.

Notably, the Dominican Republic showed the strongest percentage growth among major markets at 38.2 per cent, while Haiti recorded the highest overall percentage increase at 154 per cent, making it one of the fastest-growing source markets for Jamaican tourism.