Bartlett Leads Major Drive to Boost Cruise Tourism at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has disclosed several important productive outcomes from a series of high-level stakeholder engagements at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 in Miami, Florida, the industry’s premier annual event. The conference was held from April 8-11.

“Seatrade 2024 signaled the returning strength of the cruise sector,” said Minister Bartlett. “It was in fact the largest trade show since the COVID-19 pandemic and arguably the largest ever. Jamaica’s presence was very strong, and we had excellent discussions with our cruise partners,” he added.

The Jamaica Tourism Minister noted that the meetings yielded positive results with several leading cruise lines. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) reaffirmed their commitment to Jamaica, with a target of maintaining some 400,000 annual visitors to Falmouth.

Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett stressed the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with Carnival Cruises, adding that plans are afoot to have discussions with Princess Cruises, another major player under their umbrella, regarding further collaboration.

He noted that Disney Cruise Line expressed satisfaction with their current operations in Falmouth and a willingness to consider Port Royal as a future destination, although logistical arrangements would have to be examined. The Tourism Minister said:

“Discussions with MSC Cruises were very positive as they revealed their interest in forging a larger strategic partnership involving investment in local infrastructure.”

In this regard, Minister Bartlett also shared that Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) expressed interest in expanding their footprint in Jamaica, particularly impressed by the country’s alignment with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, a growing priority for cruise lines.

Following his engagements in Florida, Minister Bartlett will embark on a series of marketing initiatives with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York. His advocacy on sustainable development continues as he participates in the United Nations General Assembly’s first-ever Sustainability Week, which runs from April 15-19, 2024. The tourism minister will attend high-level meetings on debt sustainability and socio-economic equality, as well as a thematic event on tourism while in New York on April 15th and 16th.

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.