Tourism in Jamaica continues to grow, despite a negative travel advisory in early 2024

Once again this Caribbean island reports a record number of air and cruise arrivals by 2024, despite the US government’s negative travel advisory earlier this year.

As of today, the country is welcome 1,016,185 flight visitors and more than 700,000 cruise passengers. This represents an increase of 4.6 percent and 23 percent compared to last year, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s tourism minister, told reporters this week.

Jamaica has worked non-stop on several fronts to achieve these extraordinary results.

“We will continue to aggressively market the destination and work diligently with our partners to get there,” Bartlett said.

For Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, the island’s relaxed environment is the key to its success among tourists from around the world, especially from the United States.

“Whether it’s our food, our music or our entertainment, there is an atmosphere that only comes alive in Jamaica,” White said.

Considering the country’s statistics, Jamaica is on track to reach its target of five million visitors per year over the next four years, instead of the five initially forecast by tourism authoritiesBartlett said.

On January 23, the US government updated its policy Travel advice due to a spike in crime and the lack of proper medical services available to visitors and locals.

Ironically, it is American tourists who are driving Jamaica’s tourism numbers up lately.

The number of visitors from the US will increase by 16 percent in 2023said the Minister of Tourism. Americans represent 74 percent of all international tourists visiting the island.

This “speaks to the confidence that our tourism partners and visitors have in the destination,” Bartlett concluded.

According to the advisory, American citizens should do so “Rethink travel” to this destination for the reasons mentioned above.

As a “Level 3” country, Jamaica is affected by violent crimes such as armed robberies, murders and frequent sexual assaults that occur even at all-inclusive resorts, the advisory said.

This Caribbean island has the highest murder rate in the Western Hemisphere and crimes are not often solved. Americans who get into legal trouble may not find justice.

If you do decide to visit this island, the government urges you to take out travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, as “the State Department does not pay medical bills.”

Last but not least, it is important to avoid bringing firearms or items related to them, avoid public transportation, and physically resist any attempted robbery.

This country has a large number of places that should be avoided at all costs. Check them out here.