Jax fax was privy to an exclusive round table with Minister Bartlett on personnel development and upcoming infrastructure plans.

Jamaica’s tourism industry has experienced significant growth, with the island welcoming approximately 5.4 million visitors and cruise passengers in 2024, generating around $4.35 billion in revenue. Notably, over 2 million of these visitors were from the United States, many of whom were repeat travelers.

To further enhance the visitor experience, several key developments are underway. Jamaica’s first full-service casino is set to open at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Hanover by the fourth quarter of 2025, with plans to accommodate approximately 600 daily patrons. Additionally, the Airports Authority of Jamaica has identified a site in Little London, Westmoreland, for the country’s fourth international airport near Negril. Construction is expected to commence by March 2025, with completion anticipated within 12 to 18 months. A new highway system is also in development to reduce travel time to resorts from the current one to one and a half hours.

Kingston’s culinary scene is gaining recognition, emphasizing locally grown produce and freshly harvested seafood. Food and beer tours drawing more tourists.

A recent survey highlighted the top three reasons visitors chose Jamaica were its music, food, and love.
Niche markets such as wellness, crafts, and cuisine are trending among tourists. To support this, a program has been implemented to provide additional training to kitchen staff and hospitality workers. This initiative, in partnership with American-based training programs, offers participants the opportunity to earn an associate degree or certification in their chosen field. Furthermore, Minister Bartlett hinted at the development of several golf courses in key tourist districts.

Beyond his role as Minister of Tourism, Mr. Bartlett co-founded and co-chairs the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre. He recently introduced his new book, “Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience,” co-authored with Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre. Dedicated to global hospitality workers who persevered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the book explores the future of travel, including the role of artificial intelligence in helping consumers customize their itineraries. It also outlines strategies for destinations to forecast, mitigate, manage, and recover from crises.

Regarding the Jamaican Specialist program, Minister Bartlett noted that it is continually updated to ensure participants receive current and comprehensive information to sell Jamaica’s offerings.

Looking ahead, Jamaica aims to achieve its ‘5-5-5’ growth strategy: welcoming 5 million visitors and earning $5 billion in tourism revenue by 2025. With ongoing investments in infrastructure, training, and niche markets, the future of Jamaica’s tourism industry appears promising.