Minister Bartlett credits diaspora as Jamaica surpasses 1 million visitors after Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has credited the Jamaican diaspora as one of the country’s most influential ambassadors, while announcing that the island welcomed more than one million visitors and earned US$956 million in foreign exchange during the first quarter of 2026 — just five months after the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Bartlett delivered the update during an address to members of the Jamaican diaspora at the Embassy of Jamaica on April 8, where he praised the role of overseas Jamaicans in supporting the country’s rapid tourism recovery.

Speaking before Jamaican professionals, community leaders, and friends of Jamaica in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area — home to more than 38,000 Jamaicans — Bartlett described the rebound as “resilience in action” and urged diaspora members to continue promoting Jamaica globally.

“Before a traveler ever books a ticket, before they see a brochure or a campaign, they often hear about Jamaica through you,” Bartlett told the gathering. “You are among our most powerful ambassadors, and I mean that in the most literal sense.”

The tourism minister noted that Jamaica’s strong first-quarter performance followed months of recovery after Hurricane Melissa, which impacted the island late last year. He said the continued support and advocacy from Jamaicans abroad helped prevent negative perceptions from affecting travel demand.

“These figures speak to the resilience of the destination and global support that our island continues to receive,” Bartlett said. “The world is confident in our ability to recover from disruptions and deliver top-class hospitality at every level.”

Bartlett also emphasized the importance of the diaspora in countering misinformation about Jamaica, particularly in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“Every time you speak positively about Jamaica, every time you correct a misconception, every time you invite someone to visit or return — you are actively strengthening our country’s resilience,” he added.

Meanwhile, Donovan White, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board, also highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that the country’s performance demonstrates the strength of Jamaica’s tourism sector.

“Surpassing one million visitor arrivals in under six months since the passage of Hurricane Melissa is a remarkable achievement for Jamaica,” White said. “It speaks directly to the resilience of our tourism sector and the unwavering commitment of our partners and the Jamaican people.”

White also pointed to expanding markets, revealing year-to-date growth of 25% from Latin America and 7% from Asia — trends he said demonstrate the success of Jamaica’s diversification strategy.

“We extend sincere thanks for the continued confidence in our destination,” White added.

Bartlett closed his address with a direct call to action to the diaspora, encouraging Jamaicans overseas to continue supporting the country’s tourism growth.

“Tonight is both a thank you and an invitation,” he said. “Continue telling our story with pride. Continue sharing the truth of who we are and correcting the misinformation. Continue encouraging others to experience Jamaica for themselves. And of course — continue coming home. Because Jamaica will always be your home.”

Bartlett said Jamaica’s ongoing recovery reflects a broader national story of resilience, noting that despite global challenges and natural disasters, the country continues to strengthen its position as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism destinations.