Cruise arrivals outpace stopovers in record year
THE YEAR 2016 proved to be a prosperous one for the Ministry of Tourism, as it successfully continued its mission of positioning Jamaica as a world-class tourist destination.
A strong foundation was laid for 2017 and beyond as the January-to-December figures indicate that the sector delivered a high level of performance, with the country welcoming a record 3.8 million visitors, both stopover and cruise.
This represents an increase of 3.9 per cent over 2015, when 3.6 million visitors came to the island.
In terms of stopover arrivals, some 2.18 million persons visited, representing a 2.7 per cent increase over the 2015 figure.
The island also recorded some 1.65 million cruise passengers from January to December 2016, representing a 5.5 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2015.
In addition, Jamaica registered record stopover arrivals during the Christmas season, as 60,886 stopover visitors came to the island between December 22 and 28, representing an 11.1 per cent increase over the 2015 period. Preliminary figures indicate that gross foreign exchange earnings for 2016 amounted to US$2.553 billion, 6.3 per cent more than the corresponding period in 2015 when Jamaica earned approximately US$2.4 billion.
Cruise passenger arrivals were significantly boosted on December 6 as Jamaica welcomed six cruise ships, which docked in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay, bringing over 10,000 passengers.
On November 22, Jamaica welcomed the inaugural call of Harmony of the Seas – the world’s largest cruise ship – to the Port of Falmouth in Trelawny.
The country also welcomed the Carnival Vista, which made its inaugural call in April, docking in Ocho Rios.
Hailing the move, Chairman of the National Cruise Council (NCC) Michael Belnavis said the cruise lines are very selective about where they send their luxury vessels, and the fact that Jamaica now plays host to the crème de la crème is “more than a feather in our cap”.
“This should not at all be viewed lightly or taken for granted,” he said. Harmony of the Seas is the biggest in the Royal Caribbean Oasis-class luxury fleet and the Carnival Vista is Carnival’s newest pride and joy. Having both of them now calling on Jamaica is a ringing endorsement of our tourism offerings,” he said.