the beach at a resort in montego bay
The main beach at Eclipse at Half Moon in Montego Bay.
News

Jamaica Eyes New Influx of American Travelers 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - August 29, 2023

Jamaica is concluding what is likely to be its best tourism summer in history — and the projections look good for the fall, too. 

That includes the numbers from the all-important United States market, where Jamaica is now expecting an increase of 140,000 additional seats in scheduled air capacity between September and December. 

That represents a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2022, and 18 percent growth over 2019, before the onset of the pandemic. 

“This added capacity is a testament to the appeal of the island’s tourism product as well as the excellent relationships we enjoy with our U.S. airline partners,” said the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “They clearly have confidence that we can fill these seats as we are now surpassing 2019 stopover arrivals and on track for a full recovery in those annual figures for 2023.”

doctors cave
Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The increase is in large part due to new airlift on American Airlines from both Dallas and Chicago, along with extended service on United from Chicago; along with ramp-ups by Southwest Airlines from cities like Baltimore and Orlando, among others. 

“As we return tourism arrivals to growth, new routes, larger planes and more available seats from our valued airline partners are critical to achieving that goal,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “We are very grateful to all carriers that have increased service to Jamaica and look forward to continuing to work together throughout the years.”

Jamaica secured 1.4 million seats this summer, a 16 percent jump over the all-time record in 2019. 

American travelers dominate Jamaican tourism arrivals, accounting for nearly 75 percent of all visitors to the island. 

Popular Posts best caribbean restaurants

The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean - 2025

No region in the world has a more diverse or dynamic culinary continuum than the Caribbean. Just about every cuisine on earth is represented, often in wonderfully, intoxicatingly fused expressions. Across the breadth of the Caribbean Basin, you will find […]


American Airlines Is Launching Flights to an Uncrowded Caribbean Island With White-Sand Beaches, Bonefishing and a New Luxury Resort

american airlines caribbean island south

There are white sand beaches. There is abundant bonefishing. But the biggest thing about the island of South Caicos in Turks and Caicos is that indescribable feeling of romance, of adventure. The way you feel when you really travel far […]


The Southern Corner of This Caribbean Island Is Filled With Endless Beaches, a Boutique Resort and a Spirit of Adventure    

eleuthera caribbean island

You can get lost out here. There are nearly 4,500 acres of Bahamian frontier here, filled with casuarinas, empty trails and secluded white-sand beaches. Take a golf cart, or a bicycle or, if you’re daring, just a pair of running […]


Related Posts rockley

Caribbean Airline LIAT 20 Is Now Flying Every Day of the Week 

Antigua. Barbuda. Dominica. Barbados. Grenada. Jamaica. They’re just some of the Caribbean islands upstart carrier LIAT 20 is now serving, and the carrier just upped its frequency.  LIAT 20 is now flying around the Caribbean seven days of the week, […]


The Nassau Cruise Port Is Putting the City’s Iconic Straw Market in the Spotlight 

nassau cruise port

It’s not just a market. Not just a collection of vendors and artists. Nassau’s legendary Straw Market is a living, breathing symbol of the creativity of The Bahamas.  And now the city’s cruise port is putting the Straw Market back […]


Antigua and Barbuda’s Sizzling Food Scene Has Another Must-Visit Event: Culinary Month  

antigua caribbean island

Antigua and Barbuda’s food scene is sizzling right now, and the destination’s already-popular culinary series just got bigger, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The destination has unveiled a new festival called Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, which will run throughout the […]