Jamaica targets full tourism restart by Dec. 15, 2025

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has established a clear goal for Jamaica’s tourism sector to be fully operational by December 15, 2025.

To achieve this, the Ministry has launched a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force, alongside the Tourism Cares, to coordinate efforts between the public and private sectors.

“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” said Minister Bartlett in a statement. “Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence.”

The Recovery Task Force is chaired by John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, with Minister Bartlett serving as Chairman Emeritus.

The Task Force comprises a distinguished cross-section of public and private sector leaders, including Hon. Tova Hamilton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism; Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC); and Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.

Also serving on the Task Force are Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI); Ian Dear, Board Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo); Donovan White, Director of Tourism; Jessica Shannon, Chief Experience Officer at SRI; and Christopher Jarrett, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

They are joined by Wayne Cummings, former President of the JHTA and Chief Executive Officer of Arya Holding Jamaica; Wade Mars, Executive Director of TPDCo; Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF); Tanikie McClarthy Allen, Senior Communications Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism; and Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

The Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force will spearhead the tourism sector’s operational restart, focusing on rapid assessments, restoration of products, and ensuring service readiness across resorts, attractions, airports, ports, and major corridors.

Collaborating with agency and private-sector leaders, the group will help remove bottlenecks, prioritize repairs, and coordinate market readiness to ensure safety, service quality, and visitor confidence are fully restored by December 15, 2025.

Tourism Cares, meanwhile, will organize the giving and goodwill that accelerates recovery.

“Tourism’s strength lies not just in its product offerings, but in its people and partnerships. The speed and synergy of our response show the industry’s resilience and our unwavering commitment to recovery with empathy, compassion, and innovation,” added Bartlett.

Post-hurricane recovery and restoration efforts are now underway in Jamaica, where officials in the hardest-hit regions describe the devastation as beyond catastrophic.

Footage circulating online show the storm obliterating buildings, tearing off roofs and flicking debris across the island.

Hurricane Melissa also damaged four of Jamaica’s hospitals and left one without power, forcing officials to evacuate 75 patients, reports say.

“The worst has passed,” said Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the JTB, in a video posted to her social media on Wednesday. “Now we unite and build Jamaica.”

For anyone who wants to donate to Jamaica’s hurricane relief efforts, the Jamaican government has set up an official website, which can be viewed here.

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