Jamaica Joins US, Canada, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Norway, Malta, and France in Booming Tourism Growth Amid Peak Winter Travel

Published on December 30, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

The 2025 winter tourism season is booming worldwide, and Jamaica is leading with 70,000 visitors in the first week, thanks to its recovery after Hurricane Melissa and growing appeal as a top winter destination. Joining Jamaica in this winter tourism boom are countries like the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Norway, Slovakia, Malta, Albania, and France, all of which are experiencing significant growth in arrivals. The surge is driven by factors such as strong demand for winter sports, seasonal festivals, and the return of global travel confidence. With new investments in tourism infrastructure and unique seasonal attractions, these destinations are offering visitors a mix of sunny escapes, ski resorts, and cultural experiences, making the winter of 2025 one of the most successful travel seasons in recent years.

Jamaica Leads the Charge with Strong Winter Tourist Arriva

Jamaica’s winter tourism season kicked off with a bang in 2025, recording more than 70,000 visitor arrivals within the first seven days alone. The numbers reflect a positive performance in the island’s recovery from the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Of the total arrivals, 46,000 were stopover visitors, while 30,000 arrived by cruise ships, signaling continued confidence in Jamaica’s tourism offerings across both airlift and cruise segments.

The island has welcomed 370,000 visitors since the hurricane, earning USD 331.2 million, showcasing Jamaica’s position as a leading tourism destination in the Caribbean. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, expressed his satisfaction with the performance, noting that the country’s tourism recovery is not just about visitor numbers, but also about ensuring the well-being of the people who power the industry. To this end, Jamaica has invested over $2 billion in worker support programs, including the Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme (THARP), which is helping more than 5,000 tourism workers recover from the damages caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Jamaica’s 2025 winter tourism boom comes at a time when other global destinations are also reporting similar strong growth.

United States – Winter Travel Surge Drives Recovery

The United States is experiencing a winter travel surge in 2025, particularly in regions like New England. With 4.58 million travellers expected between 20 December 2025 and 1 January 2026, the region is set to see a 2.2% increase in winter tourism compared to 2024. Ski resorts and urban destinations are driving this growth, with Boston, Chicago, and Denver all seeing higher visitor numbers. The U.S. Travel Association forecasts continued domestic leisure growth in winter, showing strong demand even amid mixed international trends.

Canada – Winter Travel Forecasted to Reach New Heights

Canada’s tourism sector is also poised for a robust winter season. With a projected increase in winter arrivals, particularly to British Columbia’s ski resorts and Ontario’s winter festivals, the country is set to recover and grow. The winter months are crucial to Canadian tourism, especially in regions known for snow sports and holiday getaways.

Although specific data for 2025 arrivals has yet to be fully disclosed, Canada’s tourism sector has received favorable forecasts from industry bodies, predicting continued growth in winter tourism due to the country’s combination of outdoor experiences, cultural events, and winter festivals.

Spain – Winter Tourism Growth Driven by Urban and Mountain Destinations

Spain, long known for its summer sun, is seeing strong growth in 2025 winter tourism, with major cities like Madrid and Barcelona attracting more visitors than ever before. Additionally, winter demand is up in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada, as ski resorts experience surges in foreign visitors. In fact, Spain’s tourism sector has been buoyed by a 12% increase in winter arrivals for the first quarter of 2025, and with winter holidays falling in the same period as the Christmas markets, the country is poised to see even more growth.

Italy – Record-Breaking Numbers for Winter 2025

Italy has become one of the top destinations for winter tourists, recording a 21.1% increase in foreign arrivals for the winter of 2025. 14.4 million visitors are expected during the winter months, contributing to a 28.8% rise in overnight stays. Rome, Milan, and the Dolomites have been major draws, with visitors flocking to the Christmas markets, winter festivals, and world-famous ski slopes.

Italy’s strong winter performance aligns with the country’s broader tourism recovery strategy, making it one of Europe’s most resilient winter tourism markets.

Cyprus – A Winter Surge in the Mediterranean

Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean, is also recording impressive growth in its winter tourism sector. Cyprus Tourism officials report that the island has seen a 12% increase in winter arrivals as of November 2025, with over 4.38 million tourists arriving so far. Notably, November alone saw a 30.4% increase in visitor numbers, signalling a solid winter season for the popular island destination.

Norway and Slovakia – Strengthening Winter Appeal in Northern Europe

Norway is experiencing a 13.2% increase in winter arrivals, with overnight stays jumping by 15.3% compared to the previous year. The Alpine regions of Norway are proving increasingly popular with skiers and winter sports enthusiasts, driving demand for both short-term stays and longer vacations. Similarly, Slovakia saw 14.3% growth in winter tourism, with both domestic and international visitors flocking to ski resorts like Jasná and the High Tatras mountains.

Malta and Albania – Winter Tourism Gaining Traction

Malta and Albania are seeing double-digit growth in winter tourism in 2025. Malta is increasingly popular for its milder winter weather and cultural offerings, while Albania has seen a marked increase in visitors arriving for off-season beach holidays and historical site tours. These Mediterranean gems are capitalizing on winter tourism by offering a blend of affordable travel options and cultural experiences.

France – A Winter Tourism Powerhous

France, especially Paris, has emerged as a key destination for American tourists seeking a winter escape. U.S. tourists are flocking to the City of Light for the winter season, with Christmas markets, winter festivals, and citywide lights displays making it an attractive destination. France’s ski resorts in the French Alps also see significant winter tourist activity, reinforcing the country’s dominance as a global winter tourism leader.

Conclusion: A Global Winter Tourism Surge in 2025

As Jamaica, the United States, Canada, and other European nations such as Italy, Spain, Norway, and Cyprus experience a winter tourism boom, the 2025 travel season marks a strong recovery for the global tourism industry. With visitor arrivals, spending, and confidence in these destinations all on the rise, the winter tourism market is shaping up to be one of the most successful in recent years. Whether drawn by winter sports, cultural events, or sunny escapes, travellers are returning in droves, bolstering the tourism economies of these countries and paving the way for further growth in the years to come.