The upcoming U.S. presidential election in November is being cited as one of the factors contributing to the stagnant performance of Jamaica's tourism sector, which has experienced slower growth in recent months.
In addition to the impact of Hurricane Beryl in July and previous travel advisories from the White House discouraging U.S. citizens from visiting the island, growth in the tourism sector barely increased by 0.1% in the April to June quarter, according to the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
Robin Russell, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), pointed out that there has always been a decline in tourism during U.S. presidential election years. The United States is one of Jamaica's largest markets, and global analysts believe that the uncertainty surrounding elections often leads some travellers to delay their plans, opting to conserve funds while observing political changes that could affect exchange rates, economic conditions, or international relations.
Despite the slower growth, the sector aims to surpass the 4 million tourists recorded in 2023 and achieve its goal of 5 million arrivals and $5 billion in revenue by 2025. While the growth has not been at the desired level, the industry has maintained similar arrival numbers to 2023, which is still above the benchmark year of 2019.
This indicates a certain level of stability despite the recent challenges.
