New data released from the Jamaica Tourist Board revealed that Long Stay Arrivals were up 3.3% versus October 2017 to reach a new all-time high for the month of 162,552. That is considerable growth given that just 2 years ago, Jamaica was receiving only 135,467 visitors for the month of October.
These visitors tend to stay up to 8 days and more than 75% were headed for the resort areas of Montego Bay, Negril or Ocho Rios.
On the cruise side, there was good news of sorts as the unfortunate devastation that was the 2017 Hurricane Season which led to the biggest October in history in 2017, only fell in 2018 by 18.7%. This indicates that Jamaica’s cruise ship product has proven itself viable, despite announced pullouts by major cruise lines. Although 2018 is running 2% behind 2017, it is still 10% above 2016’s arrivals.
Unfortunately for the month, with cruise ship arrivals falling so sharply, overall tourist arrivals from all sources fell 7.5% versus October 2017. However, year to date, total number of tourists from all sources is up 2% over 2017. Expect November to also fall short of last year’s windfall arrivals.
Keep linked in to diGJamaica’s economic indicators for the latest weekly and monthly indicators.
Falmouth rebounding as preferred cruise port
Windfall – Hurricanes blow 68 cruise ships into Falmouth port