JTB Encourages Tourists to Keep Holiday Plans: “Don’t Forget About Jamaica Right Now”

With more than 30 hotels already reopened and over 50 more preparing for winter-season bookings, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has launched a dedicated travel-alert page. “Tourism is the pathway to Jamaica’s recovery,” said Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Americas at the JTB.

Jamaica Tourist Board reassures visitors after Hurricane Melissa (Photo: JTB)

With Hurricane Melissa leaving a trail of destruction across Jamaica, the country now faces a major test of resilience, particularly as one of the Caribbean’s most tourism-dependent economies.

To support recovery and keep travelers informed, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has launched a dedicated travel-alert page, updated three times daily, detailing the operational status of hotels and attractions islandwide. More than 30 hotels that temporarily closed due to Melissa have already reopened, and an additional 50 properties are preparing to begin taking reservations ahead of the winter season.

According to the JTB website, several properties along the north coast have already reopened, including Moon Palace Jamaica and Oceans by H10, with additional RIU resorts expected to resume operations in the coming days. Couples Negril is scheduled to reopen on December 1, 2025, followed by Sandals Negril and Grand Palladium shortly after. In Montego Bay, Half Moon is expected to reopen on December 15, 2025, while Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios is also preparing to welcome guests again beginning December 1.

Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Americas at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), is urging visitors not to cancel their holidays to the island, especially with the Christmas season fast approaching.

“Tourism is the pathway to Jamaica’s recovery. It represents a fare for a taxi driver, a purchase for a craft vendor. Don’t forget about Jamaica right now.”

“The majority of Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio are up and running,” he told Travel Weekly. “Tourism is the pathway to Jamaica’s recovery. It represents a fare for a taxi driver, a purchase for a craft vendor. What drew the international community to Jamaica - our music, our food, our hospitality - none of that was damaged. Hurricane Melissa couldn’t touch that.”

According to a statement from the JTB, preliminary assessments show that while many properties experienced temporary power and utility disruptions, most remain structurally sound. “Don’t forget about Jamaica right now,” the statement emphasized.