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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines
Published: 12 March 2017 12 March 2017

Jamaica is poised to be the most significant cruise destination in the Caribbean with 518 cruise ship port calls in 2016 and more than two million cruisers expected in 2017. Recently, Jamaica welcomed six of the world’s largest cruise vessels on the same day in the ports of Falmouth, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston. With the six vessels in port, Jamaica played host to over 15,000 cruise passengers eager to explore the vibrant destination. Fittingly, Jamaica was awarded 2016 “World's Leading Cruise Destination” by the World Travel Awards.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Director of Tourism Paul Pennicook will lead discussions on the island’s Cruise Jamaica initiative at the upcoming Seatrade Cruise Global event taking place March 13-16 in Fort Lauderdale. Jamaica’s tourism leaders, along with the Port Authority of Jamaica, will focus on increasing greater awareness of Jamaica as a leading cruise destination. Jamaica will be at Booth #2621.

“We’re pleased to be participating in this year’s Seatrade, the world’s largest cruise conference,” said Minister Bartlett. “Jamaica is experiencing monumental growth as a cruise destination and this is an invaluable opportunity for us to meet with key industry influencers, thought leaders and spokespersons. Together we will discuss issues faced by the industry as a whole and how Jamaica can continue to promote the growth of the cruise sector.”

Jamaica is home to five vibrant and bustling cruise ports including Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios, Kingston and Port Antonio. These ports provide cruise goers access to Jamaica’s white sand beaches, cascading waterfalls, rugged mountain trails, world-class golf courses, historic landmarks, arts and culture, duty-free shopping and more.