Tourism sector could take up to mid-2026 to recover post Melissa

 

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has admitted that it will take more than six months to see a full revival of the tourism sector following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. 

 

Several of the country's top resorts were damaged by the storm, leaving thousands of hotel workers out of jobs. 

 

But speaking on Friday, during a tour of hotels in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Mr. Bartlett said the government and stakeholders have committed millions of dollars as part of efforts to reopen the sector. 

 

"And you know that the Government of Jamaica is putting $600 million, along with the private sector, to create a fund of over a billion dollars for the tourism workers housing and other rehabilitation efforts. But that figure, I notice now, is small in relation to what the industry is actually doing. Because here, for example, Sandals is well over half a billion dollars already. And we spoke with Riu, Riu is well over US$2 million already. And Moon Palace and the others. So we're seeing that the industry is truly, truly responding to the rehabilitation of the workers," he acknowledged. 

 

"[But] we are expecting that there will be a struggle that will take us perhaps as far as mid-year. And so some of the properties will not be ready, and consequently, may have to look at varying options in relation to staff arrangements," said the minister. 

 

Still, he noted that there has been increased bookings over the last week.