AGP Executive Report

Jamaica Tourism 3.0: Jamaica has launched a new long-term tourism framework, “Tourism 3.0,” aiming to put workers, training and local communities at the centre of the next growth phase, with Minister Edmund Bartlett outlining the shift beyond visitor numbers and hotel development. Rural access gets a boost: Tourism Enhancement Fund support is helping spread tourism benefits beyond resort hubs, including a $27.5-million road rehabilitation from Fontabelle to Geddes Town in St Mary to improve access to heritage attractions. All-inclusive leak debate: Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Purkiss says up to 70 cents of every dollar spent by all-inclusive visitors leaves Jamaica, arguing the Tourism Linkages Network isn’t doing enough to keep earnings local. Tourism leadership in mourning: Former Tourism Minister Hugh Hart was remembered at an official memorial service at UWI Chapel, with tributes highlighting his public service legacy. Travel culture & business: Yanique DaCosta launched “The Boutique Hotel Playbook” podcast for independent hotel owners, focusing on brand positioning, guest experience and growing direct bookings. Sports tourism buzz: With the World Cup opener Mexico vs South Africa kicking off June 11, Caribbean-linked stories and fan travel are driving wider regional attention. Local football change: Chapleton Maroons’ head coach Donovan Duckie resigned effective immediately, setting up a new direction for the club.

Tourism Linkages & Tax Pressure: Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association president Christopher Jarrett says the sector is still waiting to be consulted on a proposed GCT increase for tourism activities, warning it could hit businesses, jobs, investors and communities. Hurricane Melissa Funding: Finance Minister Fayval Williams details $67 billion allocated to ministries after Hurricane Melissa, including $3.4 billion to the Ministry of Tourism for repairs and worker support. Rural Tourism Investment: Minister Robert Montague says a $27.5-million TEF-funded road rehab in St. Mary (Fontabelle to Geddes Town Road) is improving access to heritage attractions and spreading tourism benefits beyond resort areas. Ebola Preparedness: Health Minister Christopher Tufton reports Jamaica remains Ebola-free, with strengthened port-of-entry surveillance and nine travellers placed under precautionary self-quarantine. Medical Tourism Impact: Chain of Hope marks 30 years in Jamaica with a June 8–15 anniversary mission at Bustamante Hospital for Children, planning open-heart surgeries for 8–10 children. World Cup Travel Buzz: Boston readies for 2026 FIFA World Cup fan events and match-day logistics, with City Hall Plaza set for watch parties and global food vendors.

Ebola Preparedness: Jamaica says it remains Ebola-free, but has stepped up WHO-aligned readiness at ports of entry, including enhanced surveillance, stronger border coordination, and infection-control reinforcement; Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton also confirmed nine travellers are under mandatory self-quarantine as a precaution, with no symptoms reported. Tourism Funding & Resilience: Government outlined how $67 billion was allocated after Hurricane Melissa (Oct 2025), including $3.4 billion to the Ministry of Tourism—plus major sums for infrastructure, water, health, and culture. Rural Tourism Investment: Minister Robert Montague says a $27.5 million Tourism Enhancement Fund road rehab in St. Mary (Fontabelle to Geddes Town) is improving access to heritage attractions like Sun Valley Plantation and Tamarind Great House. World Cup Travel Buzz: Jamaica’s consul general in Florida says Jamaicans and Caribbean teams are already positioning training camps and selling World Cup-linked items, with expected economic spillover in Broward County. Charity & Health Tourism: Chain of Hope marks 30 years in Jamaica with a June 8–15 anniversary medical mission at Bustamante Hospital for Children, delivering open-heart surgeries for children with complex heart disease.

Cruise & Tourism Politics: Opposition tourism spokesperson Andrea Purkiss says Jamaica’s cruise passenger numbers have fallen 28.4% since 2019, arguing Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is “completely silent” while the sector shrinks. Tourism Policy Debate: Purkiss also accuses Bartlett of pushing a “diversification myth,” saying the ministry’s J$2.86 billion spend has only “guaranteed empty seats” on airlines to markets that barely register. Disaster Recovery & Housing: In St Elizabeth, Prime Minister Holness says coastal residents in Parottee will be relocated after Hurricane Melissa, with plans aimed at preserving livelihoods, asset value and dignity. Travel Industry Update: TUI introduces a price-match guarantee for package holidays if a cheaper identical deal is found within 72 hours of booking. World Cup Tourism Angle (Florida): Jamaica’s consul general in the US says Jamaicans in Florida are already benefiting from 2026 World Cup activity, with training camps and global visitors expected to boost local sales. Digital Access for Jamaicans Abroad: IRIE FM is now available on TuneIn, making it easier for the diaspora to stream the station via car and mobile platforms. Climate & Travel Planning: A new report warns El Niño could bring extreme weather this summer, with many travellers already delaying trips due to uncertainty. Local Community Support: Friends of Porus and Give Back Jamaica delivered education and healthcare outreach across rural communities during May, including literacy support and medical supplies.

Caribbean Tourism & Travel Tech: IRIE FM is now available on TuneIn, letting listeners stream Jamaica’s reggae radio on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay—great news for travellers and the diaspora. Jamaica Tourism Development: Sandals is spending US$200 million to redesign three Jamaica all-inclusive resorts, signalling a push to refresh the visitor experience. Tourism Supply-Side & Investment: Jamaica’s Tourism Supply Side Initiative gets a boost as PM Terrance Drew backs the Caribbean Tourism Supply Side initiative, while CTO highlights new tourism agenda work after Caribbean Week in New York. Local Community Impact: Friends of Porus (FOP) and Give Back Jamaica (GBJ) delivered literacy support and healthcare supplies across rural communities during May, aligning with Read Across Jamaica Week. Aviation & Access: The US State Department will pilot expedited visa interviews for business/tourist applicants at select embassies for US$750, aiming to cut interview delays. World Cup Travel Context: FIFA’s World Cup 2026 ticketing tensions continue, with Iran’s federation claiming revoked fan allocations in the US—an issue that could affect match-day travel plans for supporters. Wellness & Food Tourism: NUGL and Cannibble begin a Jamaica market evaluation of functional beverage samples through Kaya Pizza and Square Grouper Bars, testing products for Jamaica’s tourism-driven hospitality market.

Tourism Investment & Capacity: Jamaica’s tourism push gets a boost as Sandals plans a $200M redesign of three Jamaica resorts (Royal Caribbean, South Coast, Montego Bay), with new suites, dining and sea-facing experiences. Regional Tourism Strategy: The Caribbean Tourism Organisation backs a new Tourism Supply Side Initiative, with Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett set to chair a ministerial committee aimed at building local capacity and keeping more value in the region. Finance & Trade Links: Afreximbank holds an inaugural Kingston roadshow to deepen trade, investment and industrialisation support for Jamaica, following a 2025 partnership and a major financing facility for the Caribbean. Aviation & Connectivity: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes sign an interline agreement to strengthen Caribbean–Europe connectivity, while Jamaica also explores new airlift partnerships. Energy Reliability for Tourism: Opposition renews calls for solar/renewables to protect NWC water systems during outages, arguing power dependence threatens public health and tourism—prompting a government rebuttal. World Cup Travel Buzz: FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across 16 stadiums in the US, Canada and Mexico, with Curaçao’s debut story and Bafana Bafana’s possible Aubrey Modiba return adding extra travel interest.

Caribbean Tourism Strategy: The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and regional partners have launched a new Tourism Supply Side Initiative, with St Kitts and Nevis PM Terrance Drew backing the push to boost local capacity and keep more value in the region. Resort Investment: Sandals Resorts is pouring US$200 million into redesigning three Jamaica all-inclusives—Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals South Coast and Sandals Montego Bay—adding new suites, dining upgrades and fresh “closer to the water” concepts. Regional Trade & Finance: Afreximbank held an inaugural Kingston roadshow to deepen engagement with Jamaica, spotlighting trade, investment and industrialisation financing solutions. Tourism & Infrastructure: Jamaica’s tourism growth agenda also includes plans to add 20,000 more rooms, as the industry targets higher visitor capacity. Water & Power Resilience: Opposition is calling for solar-backed energy resilience for National Water Commission facilities after an islandwide blackout left thousands without water—an issue they link directly to public health and tourism stability. World Cup Travel Buzz: Curaçao’s “smallest-ever” World Cup journey is drawing attention worldwide, with tourism-friendly stories of barefoot beach training and a viral school-bus arrival.

Luxury Travel & Events: Ricki Erik is expanding his luxury wedding and private event bookings across the U.S., Canada and select international markets, with a Jamaica-born, soul-reggae-pop sound aimed at destination weddings and upscale celebrations. Big Night for Travel Trade: Canada’s Agents’ Choice Awards gala is set for June 18 in Toronto, with Jamaica Tourist Board entertainment and a silent auction supporting Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter. Tourism & Environment: Kingston Harbour Cleanup Project says 5.5 million kilos of trash have been collected by booms, helping protect Jamaica’s marine and coastal appeal. Infrastructure & Visitor Comfort: Opposition says Friday’s islandwide blackout left thousands without water, arguing NWC should shift critical systems to solar to protect tourism corridors during disasters. Aviation/Travel Disruption: CONVIASA reports irregularities after a Cancun–Maiquetia flight was diverted to Jamaica, citing missing operational support and long passenger uncertainty. World Cup Buzz: Ghana’s final warm-up plans take a hit as Honduras withdraws from a June 9 friendly, while Curacao’s World Cup arrival goes viral in a windowless school bus. Safety on the Roads: Police identify a five-month-old killed in a St Elizabeth three-vehicle crash, underscoring ongoing travel safety concerns.

World Cup Tourism Buzz: Curaçao’s “Blue Wave” has gone viral for arriving at the 2026 World Cup in a windowless school bus—an underdog moment that’s already turning into a travel conversation across the Caribbean. Infrastructure & Visitor Readiness: Jamaica’s islandwide power outage has left thousands without water, with the Opposition blaming NWC’s reliance on the JPS grid and pushing for solar/renewables to protect tourism corridors during disasters. Airlift & Connectivity: New interline partnerships in the region (including Winair, Contour, LIAT Air and Air Caraïbes) aim to reduce the hassle of hopping between islands—one smoother itinerary at a time. Jamaica Travel Signals: Sangster International Airport passenger traffic remains down 22% year-on-year after Hurricane Melissa, underlining the recovery challenge for Montego Bay. Sports With Local Links: Bafana Bafana’s coach Hugo Broos says his side’s World Cup warm-up showed areas to fix before the opener, while Ghana’s Jordan Ayew urges doubters ahead of their Group L campaign. Safety Watch: Two fatal St Elizabeth road crashes—including a five-month-old baby identified as Kemarala Forbes—highlight ongoing travel and road safety concerns. Caribbean Media Spotlight: The Caribbean Tourism Organization used Caribbean Week in New York to honour storytellers and launch CTO TV, boosting how the region markets itself beyond beaches and resorts.

Caribbean Tourism Awards & Media Boost: Jamaica picked up major recognition at Caribbean Week in New York, winning Best Social Media Campaign for its Reggae Marathon push and earning another honour for a National Geographic feature on luxury experiences, while the Caribbean Tourism Organization also celebrated top regional storytellers and launched CTO TV to expand tourism video storytelling. Resilient Tourism & Community Recovery: Sandals and Beaches Resorts marked Labour Day with on-the-ground support for Hurricane Melissa recovery, including work at Priory Primary and Infant School in St Ann, as volunteers helped restore schools and public spaces. Airport Watch: Sangster International Airport traffic in Montego Bay stayed well below pre-hurricane levels in April, with passenger volumes down 22% year-on-year, reflecting the lingering impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica’s tourism gateways. Sports Facilities & Visitor Appeal: Montego Bay’s $700-million sports complex “The Hive” is set to reshape local training and community sport, while St James schools received climate-resilient gardens support after Hurricane Melissa. World Cup Tourism Angle: With the 2026 World Cup underway, the spotlight is on fan travel and destination buzz across North America, including Jamaica-linked diaspora interest and regional match build-ups.

Tourism Awards: Jamaica picked up two major honours at CTO Caribbean Week in New York, winning Best Social Media Campaign for the 2025 Reggae Marathon push and a National Geographic feature award for luxury experiences. Tourism Strategy: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett used the CTO Tourism Supply-Side launch to argue the region must measure tourism by local production, value chains and wealth retention—not just arrivals and occupancy. Resort Investment: Sandals and Beaches Resorts announced Labour Day community work and, separately, timelines for reopening three renovated Jamaica resorts by end-2026, including Sandals South Coast (Nov. 18). Infrastructure & Access: PM Andrew Holness opened the Troy Bridge in Trelawny, urging faster delivery and warning that bureaucracy raises costs and delays benefits. Community Recovery: Sandals teams joined Labour Day school and public-space cleanups in St Ann as Hurricane Melissa recovery continues. Travel Economy: NCB will relocate its Falmouth branch to Champion Plaza on July 6 to improve access and service flow. Health Tourism Link: Spanish Town Hospital’s urology unit marked five years with nearly 1,500 surgeries, expanding specialised care in St Catherine. World Cup Tourism Angle: Jamaica’s tourism brand continues to ride global attention as Curacao’s tiny World Cup run and wider tournament buzz draw Caribbean fan interest.

Tourism Supply-Side Push: Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett helped launch the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Supply-Side Initiative in New York, urging the region to measure tourism by local production, value chains, and wealth retention—not just arrivals and occupancy. Resort Rebuild Update: Sandals says three reimagined Jamaica resorts—Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean—are set to reopen by end-2026 after major $200m renovations. Blue Economy & Ocean Governance: Jamaica called for more financing, tech transfer and support for Small Island Developing States to strengthen ocean governance and grow sustainable blue economies, noting tourism’s big role in jobs and GDP. Connectivity for Visitors: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to boost Caribbean–Europe travel with single-ticket options. On-the-ground Services: NCB will relocate its Falmouth branch to Champion Plaza on July 6 to improve access and customer flow, while Spanish Town Hospital’s urology unit marked five years with nearly 1,500 procedures.

Tourism Policy & Regional Strategy: Jamaica is pushing for stronger ocean governance and support for Small Island Developing States to grow “blue economy” sectors, noting tourism’s big role in jobs and GDP. Caribbean Tourism Supply-Side: The Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched a Tourism Supply Side Initiative in New York aimed at making tourism deliver more value locally, with Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett set to chair a new ministerial committee. Connectivity for Visitors: LIAT (2020) and Air Caraïbes signed an interline agreement to sell single-ticket itineraries across the Caribbean and onward to Europe, with baggage checked through. Air & Cruise Disruptions: A Norwegian cruise in Alaska cut port time after a propulsion issue, while New York’s World Cup travel push has businesses gearing up for fan arrivals. Resilience & Recovery: Prime Minister Holness urged private insurers to speed up Hurricane Melissa claim settlements, warning delays are slowing Jamaica’s recovery. Marine Risks Watch: A report warns offshore oil and gas expansion could threaten marine ecosystems—an issue with direct relevance to Jamaica’s tourism product.

Caribbean Tourism Policy: The Caribbean Tourism Organisation launched its Tourism Supply Side Initiative during Caribbean Week in New York, aiming to boost local economic retention and resilience, with Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett set to chair the new ministerial committee. Marine & Tourism Risk: A new Earth Insight/Jamaica Environment Trust report warns offshore oil exploration in the Walton-Morant block could threaten Jamaica’s south coast coral reefs, seagrass and key fishing grounds—areas vital to both tourism and livelihoods. Tourism Marketing Win: Jamaica won the Caribbean Media Award for Best Social Media Campaign at CTO Caribbean Week for its “Love Island Influencers” push for Reggae Marathon 2025, topping one million views. Hospitality Upgrade: Round Hill Hotel & Villas unveiled an adults-only Moët Private Beach in Montego Bay for summer 2026, with champagne service and day access for resort guests. Public Service Pressure: The Jamaica Civil Service Association renewed calls for urgent action on travelling allowance claims dating back to 2024, warning workers may take further action if wage talks and reimbursements stall.

Tourism Marketing Win: Jamaica picked up the CTO Caribbean Media Award for Best Social Media Campaign during Caribbean Week in New York, credited to its “Love Island Influencers” push for Reggae Marathon 2025, which topped one million views. Luxury Beach Upgrade: Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Montego Bay unveiled The Moët Private Beach, an adults-only summer 2026 beach experience with Moët & Chandon daybeds, parasols and a champagne cart for resort guests. Tourism Growth Push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is moving from the 5x5x5 target toward a new 10x10x10 growth strategy, challenging the industry to reach 10 million visitors and US$10 billion in earnings over the next decade. Marine Conservation Warning: A new Earth Insight report with Jamaica Environment Trust warns offshore oil and gas exploration in the Walton-Morant block could threaten Jamaica’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and key fishing grounds. Travel Industry Moves: JUTC is listed as official transportation partner for Reggae Sumfest 2026, while LIAT and Air Caraïbes sign interline agreements to expand Caribbean connectivity. World Cup Tourism Angle: Caribbean Week in New York continues to bring tourism leaders together, while Jamaica’s presence is reinforced through sports-linked events and partnerships.

Tourism 3.0 Push: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica will add 20,000 hotel rooms and is in talks that could lift arrivals by 3–4 million annually, as the Tourism 3.0 agenda shifts the focus to keeping more earnings in local communities. New Routes for Visitors: LIAT launches its first direct Montego Bay–Pointe-à-Pitre service on July 14, with twice-weekly flights timed to support the Reggae Sumfest rush. Festival Transport Plan: JUTC is named the main transport partner for Reggae Sumfest 2026, offering organised round-trip bus services to cut congestion and parking headaches. Getting Around, Fairly: JUTC reminds riders that seats are first-come, first-served and should not be held for people not yet on board. Road Works: NWA will close a section of Long Lane (Stony Hill Road, St Andrew) from June 5–8 for subgrade repairs, with diversions via Old Stony Hill Road. Blue Economy & Oceans: Matthew Samuda calls for more funding and support for SIDS ocean governance, noting tourism’s major role in Jamaica’s economy and jobs. World Cup Travel Tie-In: Ghana’s Black Stars arrived in the U.S. for 2026 World Cup preparations and are set to play Jamaica in a June 10 warm-up.