Carnival in Jamaica Attracts Thousands of International Visitors

The Jamaica Tourist Board is leveraging the annual Carnival event to bring more visitors to the island destination.

The Jamaica Tourist Board has indicated that the Carnival in Jamaica is a major cultural experience that can attract even more visitors to the island. As part of the destination’s Sports and Entertainment marketing pillars, the event continues to see an uptick in overseas participants with weeklong fetes culminating in a road parade.

“Carnival in Jamaica has become a melting pot of international, regional and local participants who want to experience the energy of Kingston through music, food and friends. It has become the ideal platform to reinforce Kingston as the cultural capital of the Caribbean and we want to maximize that to help boost arrivals and spending from our visitors on island,” said Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White.

Preliminary data shows that from April 1- 20, which coincides with Carnival activities, over 26 thousand visitors arrived in Kingston. The Carnival in Jamaica Committee has also indicated that there were over 8,000 revelers and 50,000 spectators.

“These numbers, while just shy of what would have been achieved before the pandemic, are very positive for the growth of the event and its economic benefits. It also speaks to the unifying element that music can achieve with both revelers and spectators all enjoying the fun,” Director White said.

“Carnival 2024 is expected to keep getting bigger and the Jamaica Tourist Board plans to capitalize on the marketing opportunities.”

Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival in Jamaica returned in 2023 with the ultimate carnival experience in Ocho Rios and Kingston. The main event, the Road March, took place in Kingston on Sunday, April 16, to a sea of bands in costumes and spectators.

For more information about Jamaica, go to visitjamaica.com.

About The Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and Germany and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Spain, Italy, Mumbai and Tokyo.

In 2022, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 15th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 17th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.’ In addition, Jamaica earned seven awards in the prestigious gold and silver categories at the 2022 Travvy Awards, including ‘‘Best Wedding Destination – Overall’, ‘Best Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean,’ ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program,’ ‘Best Cruise Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean.’ Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. 

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).  Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog.

SEEN IN IMAGE:  Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (C) shares a moment with Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Jamaica, the Hon. Matthew Samuda (R) and Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White (L) during this year’s Carnival in Jamaica Road March Parade. – image courtesy of Jamaica Tourism Ministry

Media Contacts:

Cathy Preece / Victoria Polansky

Lou Hammond Group

[email protected] / [email protected]

Jamaica Tourism Ministry:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944