Jamaica has entered 2025 on a excessive word, raking in $4.3 billion in tourism revenue final 12 months — up from a report $4.1 billion in 2023, the Jamaica Vacationer Board stated.
Final 12 months, the Caribbean nation — recognized for its nature websites, seashores, cultural points of interest and culinary pleasures — registered a report 4.3 million guests. And officers wish to get much more this 12 months.
“Our continued success is due to the invaluable support of our trusted partners,” stated Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. “In 2024, growing global interest in Jamaica drew millions of visitors to our island. This visitor increase is set to continue as the island becomes more accessible than ever to global visitors thanks to highway expansions and increased hotel, air and cruise offerings.”
In response to Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, the brand new 12 months is already exhibiting promise.
“Already in 2025, we have seen a 12.9% increase in airline seats over the same period last year, so we anticipate this will be another landmark year for Jamaica,” stated White. “Especially with the return of beloved celebrations like this month’s Rebel Salute festival and an extra-special Reggae Month in February, marked by the 80th birthday of Bob Marley, there will be a lot of buzz and excitement on the island.”
TripAdvisor, the world’s largest journey web site, some gave some added recognition to Jamaica in its “2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Destinations.” The web site rated the nation the world’s “11 World Food Destination,” “#13 World Honeymoon Destination,” and “#24 World Cultural Destination.”
For info on Jamaica tourism, go to visitjamaica.com.
‘Blue grants’ due
Caribbean corporations working in direction of the objectives of the World Financial institution-funded “Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project” will quickly be supplied a lift by way of the Group of Japanese Caribbean States Fee’s “Window 2” program, giving regional grants to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) working in direction of ever-important environmental sustainability within the area.
“The focus is not only on increasing productivity and competitiveness but also on ensuring the sustainable management of the Caribbean’s vital marine and coastal assets,” stated the OECS Fee, calling the grant program “a key component” of the UBEC Mission.
Within the Caribbean, a blue economic system technique is the sustainable use of freshwater and marine sources “to create jobs, grow the economy, and preserve the ocean and sea life,” and adapt to local weather change. For extra info on the OECS grant: bit.ly/OECS_Program2_Grant_Proposal.
Authors ‘Sip & Chat’
Specialists within the areas of publishing, public relations, and advertising and marketing gathered in Manhattan final week to share their information on the “NYC Aspiring Authors Sip & Chat Networking Event.”
Sponsored by the SIP NYC, Pleasure and James Frazier’s Black-owned wine and spirits advertising and marketing and occasions agency, the session was designed to encourage, inspire and inform people to behave in 2025.
Friends included superstar guide writer Yona Deshommes of Riverchild Media and Fortunate E-book Publishing co-founders Samantha Moonsammy and Simar Nounou. Writer Dionne Nicholls-Germain served because the panel’s moderator.
SIP NYC offered complimentary refreshments and tastings from Black-owned wine and spirits manufacturers. And Nicholls-Germain offered copies of her publication, “The 90-Day Conquering Unforgiveness Journal.” For extra info, go to thesipnyc.com.
