Kingston, Jamaica, 23 June 2026
Visitor arrivals from other Caribbean countries have climbed by 60 per cent over the past three years, according to Director of Tourism Donovan White. He credits better air links across the region for the increase.
Mr White gave the figures on Friday, 19 June, at a workshop on event tourism held at the University of the West Indies, Mona.
Regional flights make the difference
According to the tourism director, the Jamaica Tourist Board has for several years made travel between Caribbean islands a priority, including trips by members of the diaspora living elsewhere in the region. Jamaica is now served by more regional airline services, with carriers flying routes that stop at several islands.
He said that keeping up investment in regional partnerships and air connections will be key if the growth is to continue.
Latin America leads the way
Mr White said Latin America has been Jamaica’s fastest-growing market since the COVID-19 period. The island now has more air traffic to and from the region than at any time in the last 30 years, with links to Peru and Panama and Brazil now being added. He stressed that this was the result of a deliberate strategy.
He described Latin American visitors as especially active travellers who leave their hotels to spend time in restaurants, nightclubs and other venues across the island. He urged local operators to build regular entertainment events that bring visitors back year after year, and encourage them to bring others with them.
What it means for local communities
Visitors who spend more time and money outside all-inclusive resorts can bring steadier business to restaurants, entertainment venues, transport operators and small guest houses in surrounding communities.
For property owners, especially those offering short-term rentals, a broader mix of source markets and more regional flights may help to spread demand more evenly across the year. Owners should still follow licensing and tax rules for visitor accommodation.
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