Jamaica Races to Reopen Tourism After Pre-Storm Projection of 4.3M Visitors for 2025

In a recent interview with FOX News, Minister Edmund Bartlett said that 70% of Jamaica’s room stock will be ready by December 15 as the island works to protect its projected 4.3 million arrivals and US$4.6 billion in earnings for 2025. “The best way to support us is to visit us,” he echoed.

Jamaica pushes for rapid recovery of the tourism sector

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Melissa, Jamaica is putting extensive effort into reopening its tourism infrastructure and welcoming visitors as quickly as possible.

In an interview with FOX News, Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett delivered a clear and reassuring message to global travellers. “The hurricane hit the western quadrant of the island. Overall, just about 60 per cent of our tourism assets were affected. The extent of the damage ranges from extreme in one instance-only one-to moderate and, in most cases, much lighter,” he elaborated.

“The tourism capital, Montego Bay, was one of the hardest-hit destinations in Jamaica. Negril is in relatively good condition. Port Antonio was hardly touched. Kingston and some areas along the South Coast are still in good shape,” the Minister added.

“The good news is that our airports are operational. We have set a timeline for the full reopening of the destination by December 15. A number of hotels are already open and others are preparing to reopen. By the time we reach the 15th, more than 70 per cent of all our room stock and attractions will be available,” Bartlett said.

His message to the world and to potential visitors ahead of the holiday season was unmistakable: “The best way to support us now is to visit us.”

Bartlett’s statements come as the Jamaica Tourism Board (JTB) launches a dedicated travel alert page, which is updated three times a day-detailing the operational status of hotels and attractions across the island. According to the JTB, 30 resorts in the affected areas have already resumed operations, with another 50 set to return by mid-December.

With Jamaica’s peak tourism season set to begin in mid-December, the hurricane-affected nation is racing to rebuild after Melissa, the Category 5 storm that devastated the island’s western region in late October. Just before the storm, Jamaica had projected 4.3 million visitors for 2025, expected to generate US$4.6 billion in revenue.