Tourism in Jamaica
Background information
Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean Sea.
Its population is 2.9 million people as of 2020, a 0.44% yearly increase.
Jamaican economy
The economy in Jamaica is classified as an ‘upper middle-income country’.
Its economy is based upon minerals, agricultural products and manufacturing. However, the country
has suffered from slow growth, debt and high unemployment rates. Some of these issues are
indirectly caused by the natural disasters the country experiences due to its location.
How has tourism affected this?
Jamaica has become a popular tourist destination, due to its tropical climate, white sandy
beaches, and strong cultural heritage (as well as being an English-speaking country).
It is a hub for cruise ship stop offs and has a major airport in the capital, Kingston.
Tourism has generated taxes, employment and income for the country, helping raise the level of
development and reduce the development gap.
Economy
Tourism, on its own, amounted to 24% of Jamaica's GDP, which is expected to rise to 32% by 2024.
This industry generates US$2 billion each year, which is used to help develop things such as
transport and property.
The tourism brought about by cruising has also been beneficial to
Jamaica’s development, with 1.1 million annual cruise passengers
stopping off. However, the average money spent by each person
is only US$ 70 per day, compared with US$120 spent per day by
the other 2.5 million visitors.
Employment
Tourism is the main source of employment, providing 200,000 jobs for people, either directly
(hotels, tourist attractions), or indirectly (shops, banks and manufacturing).
Background information
Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean Sea.
Its population is 2.9 million people as of 2020, a 0.44% yearly increase.
Jamaican economy
The economy in Jamaica is classified as an ‘upper middle-income country’.
Its economy is based upon minerals, agricultural products and manufacturing. However, the country
has suffered from slow growth, debt and high unemployment rates. Some of these issues are
indirectly caused by the natural disasters the country experiences due to its location.
How has tourism affected this?
Jamaica has become a popular tourist destination, due to its tropical climate, white sandy
beaches, and strong cultural heritage (as well as being an English-speaking country).
It is a hub for cruise ship stop offs and has a major airport in the capital, Kingston.
Tourism has generated taxes, employment and income for the country, helping raise the level of
development and reduce the development gap.
Economy
Tourism, on its own, amounted to 24% of Jamaica's GDP, which is expected to rise to 32% by 2024.
This industry generates US$2 billion each year, which is used to help develop things such as
transport and property.
The tourism brought about by cruising has also been beneficial to
Jamaica’s development, with 1.1 million annual cruise passengers
stopping off. However, the average money spent by each person
is only US$ 70 per day, compared with US$120 spent per day by
the other 2.5 million visitors.
Employment
Tourism is the main source of employment, providing 200,000 jobs for people, either directly
(hotels, tourist attractions), or indirectly (shops, banks and manufacturing).
