Cruise Tourism Surge to Boost Agriculture and Manufacturing Sectors

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 19, 2025: With cruise passengers accounting for a significant number of tourists to the island, the Ministry of Tourism is targeting an increase in this sub-sector of the travel industry.

Having secured a landmark 1.2 million cruise passengers in 2024, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says through the Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), a public body of the Ministry, “we will work with global partners to expand cruise tourism offerings that benefit locals directly, from new cruise village projects to craft and cultural showcases that demonstrate authentic Jamaican creativity.”

He noted that the visitors travelled to the island on ships operated by various leading cruise lines, including inaugural visits from prestigious vessels like Disney Treasure and Celebrity Ascent.

“Unlocking the Power of Cruise Tourism” is one of 15 strategic pillars that Minister Bartlett revealed to Parliament in his Sectoral Debate presentation on Tuesday (June 17, 2025), to guide the ministry’s work in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

He also mentioned that there has been a series of seminars with over 230 manufacturers coming together to explore creating a tourism supply logistics centre. What that will do, he pointed out, is to ensure that the supply needs are met. Underscoring the importance of this proposal, Minister Bartlett pointed out that “the wealth of tourism is in the supply side and there is a need to understand that it is the consumption pattern of the visitor that has to be met, and once that is met then the wealth stays in the destination.”

Minister Bartlett said: “We have been talking with some of our large partners, particularly the cruise lines, and they are ready and willing to take Jamaican manufactured goods.”

Having been pushing that message over time, he felt that “we’re finally getting there and we’re looking at many other areas to meet the needs of the visitor and to secure a consumption pattern that will enable the wealth to stay in Jamaica.”

Minister Bartlett mentioned that under a special “Local First” initiative legislation is to be passed, and incentives introduced to ensure greater participation of Jamaican manufacturers, farmers, creatives, and professionals in the tourism supply chain. He said this approach is to ensure that more local money stays in Jamaican hands and circulates through communities.

Citing the success of the Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) digital platform, which links farmers directly with purchasing officers in hotels, Minister Bartlett said the new initiative being pursued builds directly on that framework and Jamaica’s achievement of 40.8% tourism dollar retention.

He highlighted the fact that “tourism has blossomed far beyond an industry—it has become the very heartbeat of Jamaica, fuelling prosperity, growth, and unity throughout every community and sector.” He added that “we have witnessed tourism ignite unprecedented growth in our agricultural fields, uplifting our farmers and revitalizing rural economies, and we have seen our manufacturing sector thrive, proudly delivering Jamaican-made goods that stand tall on the global stage.”