AGP Executive Report

Winter Airlift: Jamaica has secured more than 1.3 million airline seats for the coming winter season, up 23% year over year. The United States and Canada are expected to supply most visitors, with strong interest also reported from South America. Hotel Recovery: The island expects to restore 88% of its hotel-room capacity by December, though about 3,000 rooms will remain closed. Delayed insurance payments and supply-chain issues could push full recovery to May 2027. Tourism Recognition: Jamaica earned major honours at the World Travel Awards, including Caribbean’s Leading Destination and Leading Cruise Destination. Sangster International Airport was also named the Caribbean’s leading airport, while local hotels collected regional and national awards. Regional Partnership: Jamaica and Guyana have agreed to cooperate on tourism programmes, investment and connectivity, following talks at the regional tourism conference.

Tourism honours: Jamaica won Caribbean’s Leading Destination and Cruise Destination at the World Travel Awards, with the Jamaica Tourist Board also recognised. Sandals and Beaches collected 17 awards. Airport recovery: Sangster International Airport claimed its 18th consecutive Caribbean Leading Airport title, highlighting its recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Regional ties: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism cooperation pact covering investment, training, resilience and connectivity, with hopes of building multi-destination trips. New markets: Jamaica is pursuing stronger air links with Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways to attract Middle Eastern visitors. Winter outlook: Jamaica has secured 1.3 million airline seats for winter 2027, while airlift is rebounding despite hotel closures and arrivals remaining below pre-storm levels. Beach access: A court injunction now protects public access to Little Dunn’s River beach until a final ruling.

Airport Recognition: Sangster International Airport has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Airport for an 18th straight year, highlighting its recovery after Hurricane Melissa. Coastal Access: Floodwater and erosion are damaging Seaview Drive in Lucea, a key route between Montego Bay and Negril used by tour buses; councillors are challenging changes to the repair plan. Regional Tourism: Jamaica and Guyana signed an agreement to pursue tourism investment, better air links, training and multi-destination travel. Business Events: Jamaica is promoting its recovery and MICE tourism at IMEX America in Las Vegas, seeking new group and convention business. Winter Airlift: Jamaica has secured 1.3 million airline seats for winter 2027, with airlift reportedly up 23.5% as tourism recovers, though arrivals remain below pre-storm levels and hotel closures persist. Festival Travel: Cardi B’s withdrawal from BZR WKND leaves ticket-holders awaiting clarity on next steps and refunds.

MICE Tourism: Jamaica will promote its recovery and pursue new group-business leads at IMEX America in Las Vegas, October 13–15, as it works to strengthen its meetings and events market. Winter Airlift: Airlines have committed 1.32 million seats for January–April 2027, up 23.5% year over year. About 3,500 hotel rooms remain unavailable, and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the priority is turning added capacity into bookings and visitor spending. Regional Partnership: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism cooperation agreement covering investment, air connectivity, training, sustainability and resilience. Tourism Workforce: The Government is looking to expand hospitality and construction training in western Jamaica as hotels reopen and rebuilding continues. Visitor Experience: Dunn’s River Falls plans to retain discounted admission for Jamaicans as it moves ahead with a major upgrade to broaden the attraction’s offerings.

Regional Tourism: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism cooperation agreement at SOTIC 2026, targeting investment, air links, training and sustainable tourism. Winter Airlift: Airlines have committed 1.32 million seats for January–April 2027, up 23.5% year over year, as Jamaica recovers from Hurricane Melissa; about 3,500 hotel rooms remain unavailable. Canada’s seat capacity is up 62.1%. Visitor Experience: Dunn’s River Falls plans to keep discounted entry for Jamaicans after upgrades, with a broader offer of food, cultural events and overnight stays. Accommodation: Bocobay is expanding hotel-style management of Jamaican holiday homes, with dedicated on-site teams for guests and owners. Sports Tourism: The Reggae Marathon returns to Kingston on December 6, aiming to grow international participation and showcase the capital.

Tourism Spotlight: Jamaica hosted the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas gala at Princess Grand Jamaica on Oct. 11, welcoming tourism leaders from across the region and the Americas. Regional Ties: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism MOU at SOTIC 2026 to expand cooperation in investment, air links, training, sustainability and resilience. Climate Readiness: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett renewed calls for a Caribbean Tourism Resilience Fund to help protect destinations, workers and small businesses from shocks. Airport Advisory: Sangster International Airport urges travellers to allow extra time as road works on western and eastern corridors may delay journeys. Sports Tourism: Reggae Marathon returns to Kingston on Dec. 6, with organisers aiming to grow international participation after drawing more than 1,700 runners in 2025. Couples’ Escapes: A new Caribbean resort guide highlights Jamaica’s Princess Senses The Mangrove, with adults-only overwater villas and infinity pools.

Event Update: Cardi B has cancelled her October 18 BZR WKND Jamaica performance at Kingston’s National Stadium. Organisers say they are working on an update, leaving ticket and event arrangements unclear. Sports Tourism: The Reggae Marathon returns to Kingston on December 6 for its 26th staging, with organisers aiming to build on last year’s 1,700-plus runners and attract more international visitors. Regional Partnership: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism cooperation agreement at SOTIC 2026, covering investment, air links, training and sustainable tourism. Airport Access: Sangster International Airport is urging passengers to allow extra travel time because of road works on the western and eastern corridors. Tourism Resilience: Minister Edmund Bartlett renewed his call for a Caribbean fund to help destinations, workers and small businesses withstand hurricanes and other shocks. Regional Investment: Guyana’s president urged Caribbean governments and businesses to invest in transport links, infrastructure and visitor experiences to keep the region competitive.

Airport Travel: Sangster International Airport is urging passengers to allow extra time as road works on western and eastern access routes risk delays; hotels and transport providers are also being asked to adjust transfers. Regional Partnership: Jamaica and Guyana signed a tourism cooperation agreement at SOTIC 2026, covering investment, air links, training and sustainable tourism. Resilience: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett renewed his call for a Caribbean fund to help destinations, workers and small businesses withstand disasters and other shocks. Ocho Rios Attraction: The Bamboo Parlour Secret has opened sign-up lists for travellers and travel advisers ahead of launching an interactive island-thriller experience for small groups. Festival Update: BZR WKND organisers are asking patrons to be patient after Cardi B withdrew from its October 18 show, saying they will provide an update when details are confirmed.

Tourism Resilience: Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett called at SOTIC 2026 for a permanent Caribbean fund to help destinations, workers and small businesses withstand hurricanes and other shocks. The proposal could include visitor contributions, but funding and governance are still to be settled. Regional Investment: Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali urged Caribbean leaders to invest beyond the region’s natural attractions, with better transport, disaster readiness and major events to strengthen tourism competitiveness. Visitor Appeal: Jamaica placed fifth among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 readers’ awards; Montego Bay’s S Hotel ranked second among Caribbean and Central American hotels. Industry Readiness: At SOTIC, a tourism expert warned that travellers are turning to AI to plan trips while only 12% of Caribbean businesses use it effectively, risking weaker visibility in online recommendations. Event Update: Cardi B has withdrawn from BZR WKND Jamaica, leaving ticket holders awaiting organisers’ guidance on refunds and the festival’s plans. Business Risk: Jamaica’s drought could cost more than $35 billion over its duration, with accommodation and food services among the sectors expected to feel the impact.

Festival Update: Cardi B has withdrawn from her October 18 headline set at Kingston’s BZR WKND; organizers have not commented on the event’s status. Digital Tourism: Caribbean travellers are increasingly using AI to plan trips, but just 12% of regional tourism businesses use it effectively. Jamaica is among the region’s leading early adopters, a tourism expert said. Visitor Recognition: Jamaica ranked No. 5 among Caribbean and Atlantic islands in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Montego Bay’s S Hotel placed No. 2 among Caribbean and Central American hotels, while Jamaica Inn ranked No. 8. Public Beach Access: A court injunction has restored unrestricted public access to Little Dunn’s River, a key attraction in St Ann. Brand Jamaica: Hotelier Christopher Issa is urging a renewed effort to strengthen the country’s global identity, bringing its well-known cultural and tourism brands together.

Brand Jamaica: Hotelier Christopher Issa is calling for a renewed national effort to unite and strengthen Jamaica’s globally recognised brands, from reggae and jerk to tourism and hospitality. Hotel honours: Montego Bay’s S Hotel ranked No. 2 in Condé Nast Traveler’s Atlantic, Caribbean and Central America awards, making it the region’s top-ranked Caribbean property. Regional leadership: Antigua and Barbuda’s Charles Fernandez was elected chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization as the region faces calls to invest more in transport, infrastructure and visitor experiences. Resilience funding: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett proposed a Caribbean tourism resilience fund, backed by visitor contributions, to help protect the industry from future shocks. Tourism development: Jamaica rose four places in the latest global tourism development index, while the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation is set to help integrate AI into the sector.

Hotel Honours: Montego Bay’s S Hotel placed second in Condé Nast Traveler’s Atlantic, Caribbean and Central America rankings, making it the region’s highest-ranked Caribbean property. Resilience Funding: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has proposed a permanent Caribbean fund for disaster preparation and recovery, potentially financed in part by a small contribution tied to visitor activity. Regional Investment: At SOTIC, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali urged governments and businesses to invest in transport links and infrastructure, warning that natural beauty alone will not keep the region competitive. Tourism Technology: Jamaica’s tourism training agency is preparing hospitality workers for wider use of AI through workshops and skills development. Hotel Developments: Bahia Principe is dividing its resorts into family-focused Explore and adults-only Escape brands; Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica is due to reopen after renovations in December. Ground Transport: Jamaica’s Opposition is pressing for a promised ride-hailing policy, citing concerns from tourism transport operators about unregulated competition and security.

Tourism Resilience: At SOTIC in Guyana, Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett proposed a permanent Caribbean fund for disaster readiness, recovery and climate-resilient tourism, potentially supported by a small visitor-linked contribution. Hotel News: Bahia Principe is splitting its resorts into family-focused Explore and adults-only Escape brands; the renovated Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica is due to reopen in December. Jamaican Hospitality: S Hotel Montego Bay ranked No. 2 in Condé Nast Traveler’s Atlantic, Caribbean and Central America hotel awards, up from fifth last year. Industry Partnership: Royal Caribbean plans to acquire a 50% stake in Sandals and Beaches Resorts for about US$3 billion, with the deal expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals. Tourism Performance: Jamaica climbed four places in the global tourism development ranking, while September passenger traffic fell 16.6% at Montego Bay’s airport and 3.8% at Kingston’s year over year.

Regional Tourism Leadership: Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett backed Antigua and Barbuda’s Charles “Max” Fernandez as he was unanimously elected CTO chairman—an important regional tourism leadership shift after 15+ years. Hotel Accolades: S Hotel Montego Bay keeps climbing, landing No. 2 in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for the Atlantic, Caribbean & Central America, with the hotel citing resilience after Hurricane Melissa. Caribbean Hotel Rankings: Condé Nast also named Jamaica Inn (No. 4) among the Caribbean’s top hotels for 2026, reinforcing Jamaica’s pull with international travellers. Tourism & Community Giving: Sandals Foundation’s Island Challenge Jamaica is underway, targeting £100,000 for paediatric and neonatal care at Falmouth Public General Hospital, with runs, kayaking, treks and tree-planting along the north coast. Aviation & Travel Demand: Montego Bay Airport saw September passenger traffic drop 16.6% year-on-year, while Kingston fell 3.8%, as airline seat capacity and weather impacts weighed on movement. Public Order for Visitors: Jamaica’s National Security Minister says illegal vendors and sound system operators will face a new ticketing system instead of police seizing goods—aimed at reducing street confrontations. Culture & Tourism Appeal: A “travel like James Bond” guide highlights filming locations visitors can actually tour, including Jamaica’s 1962 Bond connection.

Hotel Awards Boost: S Hotel Montego Bay has climbed to No. 2 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for 2026 across the Atlantic, Caribbean and Central America—its highest Caribbean placement—coming after a major recovery year following Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Policy & Supply Chains: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica’s Agricultural Linkages Exchange (ALEX) should expand into a Caribbean-wide platform to connect farmers with tourism buyers across islands, strengthening “local first” supply for hotels. Cruise-All Inclusive Deal: Royal Caribbean has agreed a roughly US$3 billion partnership with Sandals and Beaches, buying a 50% stake and aiming to link cruise itineraries with all-inclusive stays under one vacation platform. Regional Tourism Leadership: The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism will lead-sponsor the 2026 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards in Miami on Dec. 6, spotlighting Caribbean tourism, media and sustainability leaders. Sports Tourism & Community: Inter Miami CF Foundation and Royal Caribbean hosted their first International Youth Fútbol Clinic in the Bahamas, bringing youth programming to Nassau alongside Royal Caribbean’s flagship destinations. Caribbean Tourism Rankings: The Dominican Republic leads the Caribbean in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, with Jamaica ranked just behind in the regional standings. Beach Culture Spotlight: Negril’s Universal Film Festival returns Oct. 8–11 with screenings on Seven Mile Beach, including a Jimmy Cliff tribute and diaspora-focused cinema.

Hurricane Melissa insurance follow-up: The Insurance Association of Jamaica says it’s intensifying work to settle outstanding tourism claims, responding to Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association concerns over delays, deductibles, valuations and policy clauses. Tourism recovery fundraising: Sandals Foundation’s Island Challenge Jamaica hit its £100,000 target for Falmouth Public General Hospital, with participants completing a 21km half-marathon through Falmouth. Agri-tourism push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett called for a Caribbean Tourism Agricultural Logistics Centre to better link farmers and agro-processors with tourism demand. Industry coordination dispute: A representation fight in Jamaica’s tourism ground transport sector has erupted, with JUTA Montego Bay questioning the authority of a government-recognised umbrella group. Beach culture on screen: The Negril Universal Film Festival returns Oct. 8–11, including screenings on Seven Mile Beach and a Jimmy Cliff tribute. Brand and rankings: Jamaica’s tourism competitiveness rose in global indices, while the Dominican Republic topped a regional Travel & Tourism Development ranking.