Stayover tourist arrivals to Jamaica fell 27.5% in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
This was the largest single decline among all Caribbean destinations in that period. Overall, the island reported 534,652 overnight stays arriving during that period as a result of Hurricane Melissa.
Jamaica is still trying to recover its tourism performance from the impact of Hurricane Melissa in the fall of 2025, and has so far seen a remarkable recovery, with tourism infrastructure restored and most hotels on the island reopening.
It is important to note that stayover tourist arrivals are distinct from cruise passenger arrivals, although some destinations sometimes group them into one data point. Cruise passenger arrivals saw a much smaller decline of 1.1%, with a total of 482,791 cruise passengers arriving during the same period, according to CTO data. This placed it in the top half of all cruise destinations in the region.
In general, the Caribbean region has performed very well, with visits from the Canadian market surging so far in 2026.
This has occurred in large part because Canadian travel has shifted from its traditional stronghold in Cuba to other markets in the Caribbean as Cuba’s tourism sector has largely closed.
While several of Jamaica’s large resorts are still working to reopen, most of the island’s hotel stock is back in operation.
The second quarter numbers will be a key indicator as to whether this is simply the residual impact of Hurricane Melissa or a broader trend.
