32,000 cruise passengers have visited since hurricane

Jamaica has welcomed 32,000 cruise passengers from eight ships since Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett also projected that the same tally would be reached in Ocho Rios this week.

"Despite the challenges we faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the industry is showing resilience and a shared commitment to Jamaica's recovery and continued growth," he said, while addressing stakeholders. "The faith that cruise lines have in our island is evident in their continued itineraries and in the support of our attraction partners who are ready to welcome visitors."

In an earlier meeting with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association in Florida, the minister conveyed that cruise lines would honour their itinerary commitments to Jamaica. He mentioned the assurances received from major operators that Jamaica remains a top priority in their regional plans.

"We are grateful for the reassurance from our partners in the cruise industry," Bartlett said.

"Their continued calls are a strong signal that Jamaica is open, safe, and ready to deliver memorable experiences," he added.

Bartlett also highlighted the readiness of key attraction partners, including the world-famous Dunn's River Falls, which he described as "open and ready to accommodate visitors". He emphasised that the destination's hospitality ecosystem remains vibrant and capable of delivering quality experiences that meet international standards.