Record low temperatures in North America and Europe have enticed thousands to the shores of Jamaica for the holiday season. According to official figures from the island’s Ministry of Tourism, the winter tourism season, which started on December 15th, has seen over 40,000 unique visitors within the first weekend alone. Among the many choosing to spend the season in Jamaica’s eternal summer paradise are a handful of celebrities and notable figures.
Cardi B & Offset
Rap megastar couple Cardi B and Offset chose the picturesque island as the backdrop to celebrate Offset’s 31st birthday. Their adventures were well documented on Cardi B’s Instagram as the pair sampled attractions – kayaking in Blue Hole Ocho Rios, lounging at the idyllic Frenchman’s Cove, and squeezing a party in at Margaritaville.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, spent his Christmas vacation with his immediate family on the island beginning December 26th. The party stayed for a week in whereabouts unknown, as information was purposely kept private. This will not be Trudeau’s first visit to the island. He often traveled to Jamaica as a boy when his father, a former Prime Minister of Canada, visited.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Also in December, media mogul, perennial awards nominee, and overall African American icon, Tracee Ellis Ross, celebrated one of her best friend’s birthdays on the island. The Black-ish star had her 11 million Instagram followers foaming at the mouth with stunning bikini photos, amidst idyllic riverside backdrops. One reel showed her post-dance class putting the lessons to work as she attempted classic Jamaican dances such as ‘pon di river’ and ‘signal di plane.’
Burna Boy
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, wrapped his “Love, Damini” tour with a stellar performance at Jamaica’s national stadium on December 18th. The self-styled “African Giant” spent an additional week on the island before leaving on a private jet on December 25th. The Grammy award-winning artist proclaimed his love for the country twice. First on stage. “Words cannot describe how it feels to be on this stage in front of you, Jamaica. This feels like a homecoming. This feels like a long-lost brother coming to see his long-lost brothers and sisters,” addressing the attendees at his concert. And, then again on departure, in an exchange with Jamaica’s minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett. The prolific artist stayed at the luxurious Tryall Club in Montego Bay and was spotted partying at Yush and Taboo. According to the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, Burna Boy was so enamored by the nation, he is considering purchasing a home for the next time he visits.
Bounce Back for Tourism
The boom in visitors and celebrity endorsements paints a healthy picture of the future of tourism on the island. During the pandemic, Jamaica like the rest of the world, closed its borders to would-be tourists. However, unlike many other countries, tourism is the highest earning industry for the island. If this trend continues throughout the winter season, then Jamaica is in for an incredible, and necessary, bounce back.
