Jamaica sets goal of being premier Caribbean yachting destination

Anticipated growth in cruise shipping this financial year

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Ministry of Tourism is positioning the island to be a premier yachting destination within the Caribbean.

Portfolio Minister, Edward Bartlett, who made the disclosure, indicates this is being done by leveraging one of the strongest yacht registries in the region and the natural advantage of its coastline, marinas, culture and hospitality. In addition, Jamaica is also intensifying efforts for this to happen, with Minister Bartlett acknowledging that this is an important high-value segment. 

Yachting, he contends, creates opportunities not only for marinas but for provisioning, maintenance, transport, excursions, culinary services, entertainment, wellness and cultural experiences, meaning new opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. 

“It means more farmers supplying vessels. More fishers supplying fresh catch. More artisans are selling authentic Jamaican goods. More tour operators are designing curated experiences. More communities benefiting from visitors, who are seeking something personal, local and memorable,” he told the House of Representatives, as he delivered his Sectoral Debate presentation.

Central role for Jamaica Vacations

Jamaica Vacations, the minister declared, will continue to play a central role in this work by strengthening airlift, route development, cruise relationships, homeporting opportunities, regional connectivity and public-private partnerships, particularly in support of infrastructure development and service expansion. 

On the matter of cruise shipping, Minister Bartlett reported that for the current 2026/2027 financial year, Jamaica is projected to welcome approximately 1.5 million cruise passengers, which he viewed as a powerful platform for growth. He argued that the real test is not only how many passengers arrive at our ports but how many of those passengers become customers for Jamaican businesses, patrons of Jamaican attractions, buyers of Jamaican craft, users of Jamaican transport, and ambassadors for a future stopover visit. 

To support this next phase, Bartlett said, ”Jamaica will continue to enhance the visitor and crew experience through expanded port entertainment, stronger port-side offerings, and the expansion of crew lounges to Montego Bay and Falmouth. Crew members are also repeat consumers, repeat messengers, and repeat influencers. When we improve their experience, we strengthen another channel of destination loyalty.”