Pictured: Minister of Tourism addressing Travel Advisors in Winnipeg on Wednesday October 28, 2026, as part of a series of Destination Updates across Western Canada.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday November 2, 2026; One year after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, the island’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with visitor arrivals approaching three million and international demand continuing to support the sector’s recovery. The projected milestone underscores the enduring strength of Brand Jamaica and the determination of tourism workers and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to restore the sector.

Jamaica welcomed 2.34 million visitors between January and August 2026, generating US$2.5 billion in tourism earnings, according to figures released by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). The performance was achieved while the island continued to operate with reduced hotel room capacity as properties repaired, renovated and upgraded their facilities following the storm.

Up to October, preliminary data shows the island welcomed over 1.8million stopovers and over 900,000 cruise passengers, highlighting a strong pace towards 3million arrivals overall. The island has also earned US 2.9 billion in foreign exchange.

Speaking to travel advisors in Winnipeg on October 28, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the progress reflects the extraordinary resolve of the Jamaican people and the continued confidence of travellers and international tourism partners.

“One year after Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica is sending a powerful message to the world: you can disrupt our progress, but you cannot diminish our spirit or our determination to succeed. We have moved from emergency response to rebuilding, from rebuilding to recovery, and now we are setting our sights firmly on renewed growth.

The fact that we are approaching three million visitors is a testament to the resilience of our people, the strength of Brand Jamaica and the confidence that travellers continue to place in our destination.” the Minister declared.

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (1^st L) shares a moment with (L-R) Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, Edna Ray, Senior Manger Regional Sales at Air Canada, Dr. Lois Stewart Archer, Hon Consul of Jamaica for Winnipeg and Donovan White, Director of Tourism following a successful Destination Update seminar with Travel Advisors on Wednesday October 28, 2026.

The recovery has been supported by an aggressive international marketing and public relations programme, sustained engagement with airlines and tour operators, and close collaboration with travel advisors and other tourism partners.

One of these critical marketing activations was the recent Western Canada Marketing Blitz that the Minister led to ensure the conversion of 400,000 airline seats to actual booking for the Winter season. These efforts have helped maintain destination visibility, reassure prospective visitors and stimulate demand even as the sector works to restore its full accommodation capacity.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White, said the sustained interest in Jamaica reflects the destination’s distinctive appeal and the JTB’s focused efforts to protect market confidence throughout the recovery. “Our task has been to ensure that the world understands that Jamaica remains open and ready to welcome visitors, while working closely with our industry partners to convert that confidence into bookings. As we approach the three-million-visitor mark, we are focused not only on restoring arrivals, but on building sustainable demand,” White said.

The recovery has also highlighted the importance of tourism to livelihoods across the island, supporting employment and income for hotel workers, attraction operators, craft vendors, transportation providers, farmers, entertainers and small businesses throughout the tourism value chain.

Through the Minister’s Tourism 3.0 agenda, Jamaica is pursuing a more resilient and inclusive model of tourism development, with an emphasis on innovation, stronger local supply chains, workforce development, investment and broader participation in the industry’s economic benefits.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

For more information about Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, October 27, 2026 — The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has been recognized by Travel Weekly in the publication’s annual Magellan Awards which represent the best in the travel industry and salute outstanding travel professionals. JTB earned two Gold awards for its destination docuseries, “Jamaica Is,” recognizing excellence in destination marketing and promotional video.

The docuseries received Gold in the Caribbean — Overall Destinations — City category and the Travel Destinations — Marketing — Promotional Video category. The honors recognize JTB’s creative approach to sharing Jamaica’s story with travelers.

“Jamaica’s story is rooted in the creativity of our people and the richness of our culture. These awards recognize the work being done to share that story in compelling ways and invite travelers to experience it for themselves,” said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism. “I congratulate our team and our tourism partners on this recognition and their continued efforts to keep Jamaica at the forefront of travelers’ minds.”

JTB’s sister agency and tourism partners also earned recognition in this year’s competition. JamVac Jamaica Cruising received Gold in the Travel Destinations — Marketing Campaign — Social Media Campaign category for “How Jamaica Inspired the Next Gen of Travellers.” Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica earned Silver in the Hospitality — Overall — Upscale Hotel/Resort category.

“These awards reflect the creativity and dedication of our team in bringing Jamaica’s story to audiences around the world,” said Donovan White, director of tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “Through our ‘Jamaica Is’ docuseries, we want to inspire curiosity about our island and encourage travelers to discover the people, culture and experiences that make a visit so memorable.”

The Magellan Awards honor outstanding design, marketing and services in a broad range of industry segments including Hospitality, Travel Destinations, Cruise Lines, Online Travel Services, Airlines and Airports, Travel Agents and Agencies, Tour Operators and Ground Transportation. Entries are evaluated by a one-of-a-kind panel of top travel professionals representing the best names and most accomplished leaders from the industry against an established standard of excellence.

For more information about Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com. 

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

Contact:  

Lou Hammond Group  

jamaica@louhammond.com 

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (R) pauses for a moment with (L-R) Director of Tourism, Donovan White and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, following a successful Destination Update Seminar held in Toronto on Friday October 23, 2026.

TORONTO; Canada: Tuesday October 27, 2026: Jamaica has turned the devastation of Hurricane Melissa into an opportunity to build a stronger, safer and more competitive tourism industry, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, told 300 travel advisors and tourism stakeholders in Toronto, as the island prepares to welcome Canadian visitors for the winter season with approximately 400,000 airline seats from Canada.

The significant airlift capacity underscores the strength of the Canadian market and the critical role of travel advisors in sustaining visitor demand, restoring destination confidence and supporting the thousands of Jamaicans whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

Thanking the Canadian travel trade for its continued partnership, Minister Bartlett emphasised that Jamaica’s recovery is being driven by the resilience of its people and the commitment of international partners and stakeholders. “Melissa was able to bend us, but it could not break us. We are not bouncing back; we are bouncing forward,” he declared.

Minister Bartlett said hotels and attractions are being restored and renovated to deliver improved facilities and enhanced visitor experiences. He stressed that rebuilding also provides an opportunity to address longstanding infrastructure challenges to improve visitor experiences.

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett addressing travel advisors and stakeholders at a successful Destination Update Seminar held in Toronto on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Major infrastructure plans include improved road connectivity along the north coast to ease congestion between Ocho Rios and Sangster International Airport, proposed aviation facilities near Little London and Vernamfield, and an airstrip in the Treasure Beach area. Upgrades are also underway at Jamaica’s existing international airports to improve capacity and passenger movement.

Director of Tourism Donovan White reinforced the importance of maintaining confidence in Jamaica’s tourism brand as recovery progresses. “Jamaica remains committed to delivering exceptional visitor experiences while building a stronger and more resilient destination,” White said. “Our recovery is an opportunity to emerge even stronger.”

The Minister identified visitor facilitation as a key priority, highlighting the use of digital technologies and biometric systems to streamline airport processing and reduce waiting times. “After a long flight, visitors want to reach their hotels and the beach quickly,” he said, underscoring the importance of a seamless arrival experience.

With approximately 400,000 airline seats scheduled from Canada for the winter season, Minister Bartlett highlighted the importance of strong partnerships with Canadian travel advisors, tour operators and airline partners in converting available airlift into visitor arrivals.

The participation of 300 travel advisors in Toronto demonstrates the importance of direct engagement with the professionals who connect Canadian travellers to Jamaica. Their continued support will be vital in sustaining bookings, strengthening destination confidence and generating economic opportunities for tourism-dependent businesses and communities.

Angella Bennett, Regional Director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board, thanked the travel trade for its continued confidence in Jamaica and emphasised the importance of keeping the destination top of mind among Canadian travellers. “Our Canadian travel advisors are invaluable partners in Jamaica’s recovery,” Bennett said. “Their confidence and continued support will help drive winter bookings and ensure more Jamaicans benefit from tourism.”

Minister Bartlett encouraged travel advisors to continue promoting Jamaica, keep clients informed about the destination’s recovery and experience its evolving tourism offerings firsthand. Jamaica’s focus, he said, is on rebuilding with purpose while ensuring that visitors continue to enjoy the warmth, hospitality and distinctive experiences that have made the island a leading Caribbean destination.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/

Pictured (left to right): Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett receiving Lifetime Achievement Award from Founder and Chairman of MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi 

NEW YORK, NY, October 20, 2026 – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was formally presented with the MIPAD Lifetime Achievement Award in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality on Friday, October 16, during a special presentation by executives of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) at the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations in New York City.

The prestigious honor was presented as part of MIPAD’s Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism & Hospitality — Class of 2026 recognition, celebrating leaders of African descent whose contributions have helped shape and advance the global tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett was originally named among the 2026 honorees in July, recognizing his longstanding leadership in advancing tourism resilience, championing environmentally responsible travel, strengthening connections with the African diaspora and positioning Jamaica as a leading destination on the world stage.

“Receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous honor, one that I share with the people of Jamaica, whose spirit and resilience continue to inspire the world,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “Tourism is more than an economic driver. It is a powerful force for connecting cultures, creating opportunities and transforming lives. This recognition strengthens my commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive global tourism industry for generations to come.”

Throughout his tenure as Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Bartlett has been a leading advocate for building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable global tourism industry. His work has helped elevate Jamaica’s international profile through initiatives focused on tourism resilience, community-based tourism, visitor health and safety, and international collaboration.

The MIPAD Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism & Hospitality initiative, developed in collaboration with The Pyne Awards Africa, recognizes 100 influential individuals of African descent making significant contributions across the travel and hospitality sectors, including aviation, destination marketing, cultural storytelling and global hospitality. The Class of 2026 was initially announced on Global Africa Day, with celebrations and recognition events taking place from October 2026 through January 2027.

The Lifetime Achievement Award further underscores Jamaica’s standing as a global tourism leader and recognizes Minister Bartlett’s enduring commitment to advancing an industry that creates opportunities for communities, celebrates cultural heritage and strengthens connections across borders.

High-Resolution Image HERE.

For more information on planning a trip to Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com.

ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, Tripadvisor ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2026, Jamaica was declared “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination” and “Caribbean’s Leading Family Destination” by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the “Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board”.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for “Best Travel Agent Academy Program” and silver for “Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean” and “Best Tourism Board – Caribbean.” The destination also received bronze recognition for “Best Destination – Caribbean,” “Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean,” and “Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean.” Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for “International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support” for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Visit the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, October 14, 2026: The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) welcomed some 310 participants, including students and teachers from 28 schools to Sandals Dunn’s River on September 30 for its Tourism AI Youth Forum, a signature event of Tourism Awareness Week. Staged by the JTB’s Tourism Information Centre under the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies: The Power of Curiosity,’ the forum challenged young Jamaicans to imagine how technology will shape the way the world experiences the island.

The forum was the culmination of the JTB’s AI Challenge Competition, held on September 16 for schools with Tourism Action Clubs. Four schools entered: Wolmer’s Trust High School for Boys; Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls; Glenmuir High School and The Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’.

 Glenmuir High School and The Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’ were shortlisted and presented their concepts at the forum. Glenmuir took top honours with JamTour AI. Their proposed platform focussed on skills and labour shortage in tourism and will help tourism businesses predict demand, match staff to the skills they need and manage visitor requests, while keeping human hospitality at the centre. Alpha’s focus was on over tourism, which saw them proposing solutions that will reduce overtourism by protecting natural and cultural heritage while ensuring tourism benefits local communities. Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, urged students to see tourism as a pathway to ownership, not only employment. “We want to move from workers to entrepreneurs and from entrepreneurs to owners,” he said.

“Tourism is a people business, and the people who will lead it tomorrow are sitting in our classrooms today,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. “What we saw from these students was not theory. The Jamaica Tourist Board will continue to create platforms where this talent can be seen, developed and connected to the industry.”

Students also heard a keynote address from Jamaican academic Professor Howard Goode, AI Strategy, Product and Workflow Transformation Professor at Bentley University.  The engaging presentation, titled ‘What If? Reimagining Jamaica Tourism Through Curiosity + AI’, showcased real-world possibilities in real time, widening students’ perspective on how they can leverage AI, especially in tourism.

Guests were also treated to a guided exhibition featuring the JTB, Expedia, Jamaica College Robotics Club, NovaCore Labs, STEAMHouse and the University of Technology, Jamaica. “Every year, the youth forum during Tourism Awareness Week allows us to meet young people where their interests are,” said Lucretia Green, Manager of the JTB’s Tourism Information Centre. “This year, the students did not simply learn about artificial intelligence. They used it, questioned it and built ideas with it. That curiosity is exactly what our industry needs.”

The programme concluded with a surprise performance by reggae artiste Agent Sasco.

Tourism Awareness Week was observed from September 27 to October 3, 2026, opening on World Tourism Day under this year’s global theme, ‘Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.’

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, October 9, 2026 – Jamaica enters the January–April 2027 winter tourist season with 1,324,965 airline seats allocated by its partners, an increase of 251,739 seats, or 23.5%, over the same period in 2026. The Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) latest airlift outlook points to strengthening airline confidence and capacity broadly aligned with the accommodation expected to be available during the season.

“Securing more than 1.3 million seats is a strong vote of confidence in Jamaica and our tourism recovery,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “These commitments substantially reduce the risk of insufficient airlift for the winter season and provide a solid foundation for welcoming more visitors. Our task now is to turn that confidence into bookings, visitor spending and economic opportunities for Jamaicans,” he expressed.

The outlook has improved steadily over the past 60 days, with additional airline confirmations in the most recent fortnight. Canada leads the year-on-year expansion with a 62.1% increase in seats, followed by the United States at 23.1% and Latin America at 2%. Capacity from both Canada and Latin America also exceeds 2025 levels.

“Our airline partners are expanding access to Jamaica, and we are working closely with tour operators and accommodation partners to translate those seats into bookings,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. “Across our source markets, our teams are focused on keeping Jamaica front of mind and helping travel partners convert interest into visits. As more properties reopen, we will continue aligning airlift with room availability to support a strong winter season,” White noted.

Total scheduled capacity stands at 92.4% of the 2025 level, compared with approximately 90% of full hotel room stock expected to be operational. Around 3,500 rooms remain projected to be unavailable as the accommodation sector continues its recovery following Hurricane Melissa. This alignment supports the JTB’s assessment that overall airlift is adequate for expected hotel availability.

The JTB will continue monitoring airline schedules, booking trends, fares and hotel reopening dates, with particular attention to markets where capacity recovery remains incomplete. Coordinated activity with airline, tour operator and hotel partners will focus on sustaining demand and supporting strong winter occupancy.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

Destination Ranks No. 5 Among Top Islands in the Caribbean and Atlantic, With Jamaican Hotels and Resorts Earning Top Honors

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct. 7, 2026 – Jamaica has once again earned top honors in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking No. 5 among the Top Islands in the Caribbean and Atlantic, while several of the destination’s hotels and resorts were recognized among the best in the region.

Building on its recognition as a top 10 island in 2025, Jamaica climbed to the No. 5 position in this year’s awards, reflecting continued demand among travelers for the destination.

Jamaican properties also earned prominent placements across the hotel and resort categories. S Hotel Montego Bay ranked No. 2 among the Top 10 Hotels in the Caribbean and Central America, the highest ranking of any Caribbean property on the list. Jamaica Inn also earned a spot among the top 10, ranking No. 8. Among the Best Resorts in the Caribbean Islands category, Half Moon ranked No. 13, GoldenEye No. 17, Round Hill Hotel and Villas No. 21 and Sandals South Coast No. 22.

“We are honored to be recognized in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, particularly as Jamaica continues to climb the rankings among the Caribbean’s top island destinations,” said Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. “This recognition speaks to the enduring appeal of Jamaica, from our world-class accommodations and experiences to the warmth and hospitality that inspire visitors to return to our island again and again.”

“Condé Nast Traveler readers have once again highlighted what makes Jamaica such a compelling choice for travelers seeking an authentic Caribbean experience,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “We are equally proud to see so many of our hotels and resorts recognized among the region’s best, underscoring the quality and diversity of experiences travelers can discover across the island.”

Condé Nast Traveler received over 798,800 survey responses from readers across the United States rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. The Readers’ Choice Awards, with their unparalleled legacy as the travel industry’s longest-running  accolade from readers, remain the ultimate symbol and acknowledgement of excellence within the travel sector.

The 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website and celebrated in the November issue. The full list of winners can be found here.

 For more information on planning a trip to Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com. 

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

Destination rises from 82nd to 78th among 110 economies, the largest rank gain in the Americas

Pictured: Minister of Tourism addresses Tourism Action Club members at the Tourism Awareness Week AI Youth Forum at Sandals Dunns River.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct. 1, 2026 — Jamaica has strengthened its position on the global tourism landscape, moving up four places in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026, from 82nd to 78th among 110 economies evaluated. The index was produced in collaboration with Zurich Insurance Group.

Speaking at the Tourism Awareness Week’s AI Youth Forum at Sandals Dunns River, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the development, noting that the improved ranking reflects the country’s continued efforts to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of Jamaica’s tourism sector.

“Moving from No. 82 to No. 78 is not just four places — it is validation. For ten years I have watched this Index: No. 76 in 2015, No. 69 in 2017 — our best — No. 76 in 2019, No. 82 in 2024, now No. 78  in 2026. The old index measured what we built — airports and hotel rooms. The new Beyond Tourism index measures what we survived — people, resilience, and retention. Jamaica built that,” said the Minister.

Jamaica recorded the largest rank improvement of any economy in the Americas and is the only one in the region to climb four places. The country’s score rose 2.3% over the 2024 edition, and it now stands two places higher than in 2019. The TTDI measures the conditions that enable sustainable and resilient tourism development, such as infrastructure, connectivity, digital readiness, safety and security and natural and cultural resources. It does not measure visitor arrivals or tourism earnings.

“This movement in the global competitiveness rankings is an important indicator that Jamaica is moving in the right direction. To rise four places in a highly competitive global tourism environment demonstrates that the investments we are making in our people, infrastructure, visitor experience, connectivity, resilience and destination development are producing measurable progress,” said Minister Bartlett.

He added that Jamaica’s tourism strategy is increasingly focused not only on attracting more visitors, but on ensuring that the destination remains competitive, resilient and relevant in a rapidly changing international marketplace.

“Tourism competitiveness today is about much more than sun, sea and sand. It is about the quality of our human capital, the strength of our infrastructure, our ability to innovate, our digital readiness, sustainability, connectivity and the overall value proposition that we offer to visitors,” the Minister said.

The four-place improvement comes as Jamaica continues to pursue a strategic transformation of its tourism sector under its Tourism 3.0 framework, which places greater emphasis on innovation, human capital development, resilience, sustainability and creating stronger linkages between tourism and the wider Jamaican economy.

The Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies will continue to use international competitiveness indicators to inform policy, strengthen destination management and guide investments aimed at ensuring Jamaica remains competitive in the global tourism marketplace.

The Tourism Action Club’s Youth Forum, which formed part of the Tourism Awareness Week activities, brought 250 high school students from across Jamaica to explore how AI and digital technologies are transforming tourism, under the theme “AI and Digital Technologies: The Power of Curiosity”.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Tuesday September 22, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will receive major global recognition in North America, Europe and Africa from September 23-26, 2026, while contributing to conversations on tourism resilience, sustainability, innovation and international cooperation.

During the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, Minister Bartlett will be named among the 100 African Diaspora Personalities of Global Influence, in recognition of his contribution to tourism resilience, global tourism development and Africa-Caribbean partnerships.

On September 25, Minister Bartlett will co-chair the World Economic Forum Beyond Tourism Day Forum at WEF Headquarters in Geneva, where government leaders, global CEOs and investors will examine tourism’s role in economic resilience, investment and innovation. He will help lead discussions among international policymakers and business leaders that will be broadcasted globally through WEF platforms.

On September 26, Minister Bartlett will receive the PYNE Award for Tourism Icon in Maputo, Mozambique, recognising his work to strengthen tourism and economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean and his role in establishing the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).

The Minister noted that tourism has evolved beyond its traditional role as an economic sector and is increasingly recognised as a vehicle for economic development, job creation, investment, cultural diplomacy and international cooperation.

“Jamaica is a small island, but our ideas, our partnerships and our ambition for tourism have global relevance. I am humbled by the recognition that is a global win for our island,” said Minister Bartlett.

The engagements will strengthen Jamaica’s visibility among global policymakers, investors and media, and advance Brand Jamaica’s contribution to the global tourism conversation.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.