Tourism Sector Experiences Flat Growth Due to Presidential Election and Other Factors

Factors Affecting Tourism Growth

The US presidential election in November is being cited as one of the factors responsible for the flat performance seen for Jamaica’s tourism sector, which has experienced slower growth over the past few months. Coupled with other impacts from Hurricane Beryl, which affected parts of the island’s south coast in July, and previous travel advisories from the White House cautioning US citizens against visits to local shores, the sector’s output barely increased in the April to June quarter.

“We did have some fallout from the hurricane and earlier from a negative travel advisory, which was

somewhat updated later; however, concerning the sector’s current performance, it is important to note that we have always had some fallout when presidential elections are expected in the US, which is one of our biggest markets. What we have seen is that whenever there is any form of uncertainty in that market, especially during periods such as elections or a recession, this tends to impact tourism, bringing about a fall in the usual activities,” said Robin Russell, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).