Hotel strikes rock Jamaica’s tourism industry; solution in the works, says JTB

Protests staged by hotel workers are rocking Jamaica’s travel and tourism industry just as the busy winter booking season takes off. 

Employees at select Negril and Montego Bay-based resorts have walked off the job in recent weeks, calling for better pay, improved working conditions, among other things.

Last month, on Oct. 21, a one-day demonstration by workers brought operations at Royalton Negril to a halt, reported the Jamaica Observer. The workers were protesting over what they say are poor treatment of staff, inadequate pay and being overworked,

Reports say the protest impacted the hotel’s operations, resulting in some guests having to find alternative food. Some guests came out to support the workers during the demonstration, the Observer noted.

Last week, employees at Secrets St. James and Breathless resorts, as well as Iberostar Rose Hall (all based in Montego Bay) staged strikes. The demonstration at Secrets reportedly involved more than 100 employees, reported Radio Jamaica News. 

Video footage of the strike posted to social media last week depicts hotel workers gathered together, shouting “We want more money!”

Marsha Gaynor, who works in the spa at Secrets Resorts, told Radio Jamaica News that employees are overworked and underpaid.

"For the last 14 years, commissions have remained the same, have not been increased. Working conditions are horrible. As we speak, our water system is horrible where it has a stinky smell where they say it's water that is recycled, but I think this is really bad when a recycled water you can actually smell it when you open the top. Likewise, our parking conditions, in the parking lot where we are at that 22, is horrible. But our major concern is we need to raise of pay," she was quoted as saying. 

In some cases, the strike led to scaled-down amenities and services at hotels. According to a comment left by guest Teresa Parrish on Iberostar Rose Hall’s Facebook page, all meals were limited to buffet service during the demonstration.

There was also no room service, limited housekeeping and the coffee shop was closed, Parrish wrote. The bars and pools and gift shop remained open, however.

“It’s honestly not that bad for me,” wrote Parrish. “I support the staff. They need to be paid more. They do such a great job.”

In a statement posted to Facebook, Secrets St. James noted that it had “returned to full operations and normalcy.” Operations at Breathless and Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay have also resumed.

Travel advisors discuss 

While strikes serve as an important tactic and tool for achieving fair wages and improving the economic and social welfare of a population, the situation has left Canadian travel advisors wondering just how they should manage their Jamaica-based bookings.  

After all, travel advisors have a responsibility to inform their clients of any risks, or service interruptions, that may occur while travelling.

At the same time, it’s also fair to assume that travel advisors would want the best for Jamaica’s hotel workers (who, in the end, are the ones who serve their clients), and show solidarity.  

These were just some of the themes travel advisors discussed over the weekend on the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB’s) Facebook page for the Canadian trade.

The JTB responds

In a statement to PAX on Sunday (Nov. 17), the JTB noted that it is aware of the ongoing labour disagreements at certain hotels and resorts on the island.

“We understand the concerns this may cause, both for staff and for visitors,” wrote Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the JTB, in an email.

“The hotel management is working closely with the Ministry of Labour, and employee representatives to diligently resolve the matter,” Bennett said. “The Minister of Tourism has convened several meetings with tourism stakeholders and a labour market study commissioned is now ready for discussion to assist in guiding the way forward with the Ministry of labour.’

“The intended outcome is to achieve a path to equity, merit and productivity to guide the future labour market arrangements for tourism.”

Bennett went on to reassure all visitors that “Jamaica remains open, and we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experiences for everyone.”

“Jamaica has already welcomed over three million visitors this year, and with a repeat visitor rate of 42 per cent, our destination continues to be a top choice for travellers,” she said. “The island is consistently ranked among the top travel destinations, and we are committed to ensuring a positive experience for all.”

Shock to the system

In a press release issued Friday, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) acknowledged the recent demonstrations. 

It noted that 2024 has been challenging for its hotel members due to a confluence of "external shocks" that continue to depress both room rates and hotel occupancy.

It said a growing problem of unavailability of sufficient air seats to Jamaica to satisfy the rapidly expanding tourism sector has exacerbated the problem.

This has impacted tourist arrivals and occupancy, which has had impact on staffing schedules and aspects of compensation for some workers, the JHTA stated.

The JHTA said the "external shocks" include negative travel advisories from the U.S., Canada and the UK.

"These advisories have had way more airplay in these source markets than ever before, resulting in travel advisors as well as direct consumers being cautious about Jamaica and depressed demand," the association said.

The JHTA also cited the U.S. Presidential election and higher-than-normal load factors on airlines serving Jamaica among the shocks.

"With the increase in Jamaica's room stock of hotels, but in particular the rapid expansion of the Airbnb type accommodations (and other similar facilities), the demand for air seats is greater than what is being provided by airlines flying to Jamaica. Airlines on the other hand are limited in their ability to add more planes, due to not only inadequate staffing and the challenges caused by the grounding of the Boeing 'Max' aircraft planes due to maintenance issues, but also the backlog of new plane deliveries from both Boeing and Airbus," the association said. 

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