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Jamaica welcomed more than 700,000 cruise passengers from 234 ship calls during the first seven months of the year as tourism officials moved to expand both the number of vessels calling on the island and the ports they visit.
Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Philip Rose, disclosed on Monday that the more than 736,000 crew's passengers visited Jamaica between January and July.
He was addressing the official opening of the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) at Moon Palace Jamaica in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.
The country's principal cruise ports of Montego Bay, Falmouth, and Ocho Rios accounted for much of the traffic, but Mr. Rose said cruise activity was also being expanded into other areas of the island.
He disclosed that four ships had visited Port Antonio and Kingston during the period.
The Deputy Director of Tourism also announced that Disney Destiny is expected to begin calling at Falmouth on October 13, bringing just under 2,800 passengers.
Jamaica is currently receiving calls from several of the world's major cruise operators, including Norwegian cruise line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages.
Mr. Rose said the cruise sector proved to be an important partner in Jamaica's tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaica's tourism authorities are simultaneously seeking to spread visitor activity beyond the traditional resort centres.
The Deputy Director pointed to Kingston and Port Antonio as destinations capable of attracting visitors interested in
experiences beyond the country's established beach resorts.
The cruise performance forms part of a broader tourism recovery, which saw Jamaica welcome approximately 2.3 million visitors between January and August, generating US$2.5 billion in revenue.
JAPEX is being staged by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Tourism room stock rebounding
In the meantime, Jamaica has recovered approximately 70 per cent of its tourism room stock affected by Hurricane Melissa, with more than 11,000 rooms expected to return to service between this year and 2027.
Mr. Rose said the remaining 30 per cent of the affected room stock is expected to come back on the market by early 2027, providing a significant boost to the country's accommodation capacity, as visitor demand continues to recover.
Among the properties scheduled to return are Zoetry, with 49 rooms expected in October and the 392-room Sandals South Coast in November.
Just over 1,900 additional rooms are expected to return in December, including Bahia Principe, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Iberostar's Rose Hall operation.
A further surge is expected during the first quarter of 2027, when just under 3,500 rooms are projected to return to the market.
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