Jamaica’s Tourism Sector Is Driving Its Economic Recovery

Jamaica’s minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett has urged all its citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to help save lives and continue driving the island’s economic recovery. The comments were made as part of Jamaica's “Tourism Awareness Week,” being celebrated from September 26 through October 2.

“While we celebrate Tourism Awareness Week under the theme ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth,’ let us include vaccination in the mix because that’s what is going to make our recovery more complete but more importantly save lives,” Bartlett said. “As we look at how we have recovered overall, the presence of tourism as the driver of that recovery has been so evident. We have generated for the year so far $1.2 billion into the economy and we have brought over a million visitors into the country.”

Prioritizing the health and safety of visitors and locals, the island had earlier this month launched a vaccination drive to facilitate administration of the vaccines island-wide. This drive is an extension of the “Jamaica Cares” program, a nationwide response to COVID-19 that includes the island’s “Resilient Corridors” and comprehensive health and safety protocols.    

Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors, which cover more than 85 percent of the island’s tourism product and include less than one percent of the population, have recorded an infection rate of less than one percent over the past year. It provides a secure environment for visitors to enjoy the tourism product while eliminating direct contact with the majority of the local population.

Jamaica remains open for travel and continues to welcome visitors safely. Its health and safety protocols were among the first to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) “Safe Travels” recognition that allowed the destination to safely reopen to travel in June 2020. The island has also recently announced additional airlift from key source markets and 90 percent of planned tourist investments remaining on track.

For more information, visit www.visitjamaica.com.

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