Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced a series of major developments for the island’s tourism sector at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026. These include the launch of new direct airline routes into Montego Bay; a $5 billion room investment, and the staging of a Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston in February 2027.
The announcements come as Jamaica reports over one million visitors and approximately $956 million in foreign exchange earnings in the first quarter of 2026 alone — a powerful demonstration of the island’s resilience just six months after Hurricane Melissa.
Multiple airline partners are expanding service to Jamaica in response to sustained traveler demand, which will boost access to the island. Porter Airlines will launch direct non-stop flights into Montego Bay from Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, and Hamilton, which adds nearly 5,000 additional seats for the winter season. “Every new route supports jobs. Every additional seat supports small businesses. Every flight creates an economic ripple effect that extends far beyond the airport,” said Minister Bartlett. “These announcements reflect the extraordinary confidence that airlines and investors continue to place in Destination Jamaica.”
Further airlift growth includes increased service from Latin America through Wingo and continued expansion from the United Kingdom with Virgin Atlantic, reinforcing Jamaica’s connectivity across its key and emerging source markets…
