Tourism Sector Nears Full Recovery After Hurricane Melissa

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the sector is rapidly approaching full recovery from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, with arrivals now nearing pre-disaster levels.

He indicated that continued room restoration across the island, coupled with sustained demand for Destination Jamaica, is positioning the sector for a strong rebound in the months ahead.

Mr. Bartlett was speaking during the reopening ceremony for the Bahia Principe Runaway Bay in St. Ann on Wednesday (April 1).

The Minister noted that, although a portion of the country’s room stock remains offline, visitor demand continues to be strong and is driving the recovery process.

“We are seeing arrivals that are now coming to equate the pre-Melissa arrivals… even at the state now where we are going to still be seeing a little over 25 per cent of the rooms not coming back until the end of the year,” he said.

Mr. Bartlett explained that this trend underscores Jamaica’s enduring appeal in the global tourism market, strengthened by strategic marketing initiatives and robust international partnerships.

The Minister pointed out that the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), together with other key stakeholders, has played a vital role in sustaining interest in the destination throughout the recovery period.

“We have been doing the marketing… and I’m proud of the work that the JTB has done during this year. We have been building out new and exciting markets to add to the existing markets that we have,” he said.

Mr. Bartlett emphasised that the recovery trajectory highlights the resilience of the tourism sector and the importance of continued collaboration between the Government and the private sector.

The Minister noted that while traditional accommodations continue to be restored, the growth of alternative lodging options has also helped to absorb rising visitor demand.

“So, more and more of our villas are coming on and more and more of our non-traditional accommodation sub-sector is driving forward; and so, more people are now having space,” he added.

Mr. Bartlett urged industry stakeholders to capitalise on the momentum and ensure Jamaica is fully prepared to meet demand as the sector moves closer to full recovery.