A “pivotal” recovery moment: Canada eases travel rating for Jamaica

Good news for Jamaica.

The Government of Canada has officially lowered Jamaica’s travel rating to "yellow" across the island, marking its return to pre-Hurricane Melissa status and conditions.

The update was officially made January 9, signalling the Canadian government’s confidence in Jamaica’s recovery and readiness to welcome Canadian travellers.

"This is a pivotal moment for Jamaica’s tourism recovery. The updated travel advisory underscores the island’s resilience and the hard work of our industry partners to ensure travellers can visit with confidence,” said Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), in a statement. “Canadians have always been some of our most enthusiastic visitors, and now is the perfect time to welcome Canadians back to the island." 

Picture is increasingly bright

As PAX previously reported, Jamaica’s hotels, resorts, and operators have been working to restore services since Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, sliced through the island at the end of October.

“The best way to help Jamaica right now is to send your customers here,” Nersi Rodriguez, director of sales at Iberostar Rose Hall – a three-hotel complex in Montego Bay, Jamaica, told PAX during a visit to Jamaica in December.

At the time, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett shared that 71 per cent of Jamaica’s tourism assets were now active – a number that is closer to 80 per cent with Airbnb and villa rentals included.

“When tourism comes back, it comes back in a V-shape. Not a U-shape,” Bartlett said, speaking to tourism delegates at the Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites on Dec. 14.

Regionally, the picture is increasingly bright. Negril experienced “minimal impact,” with all hotels open except Grand Princess and Royalton Negril, Minister Bartlett told PAX.

Montego Bay bears subtle reminders of the storm, such as thinned-down palm trees, but the destination is firmly open for business, with its airport fully operational and cruise ships once again calling.

There are some exceptions to the reopening. Hyatt, for one, has extended the suspension of its operations at seven of its Jamaica resorts.

Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway is also closed indefinitely. (For a complete list of hotel reopenings, click here).

Ocho Rios, meanwhile, is “100 per cent back,” Bartlett confirmed, with attractions like Dunn’s River Falls fully operational and cruise activity returning to pre-Melissa levels. Falmouth’s cruise scene has also normalized, he said.

Kingston and Port Antonio “were never touched” by the hurricane, the Minister added.

Jamaica’s South Coast reopened on Dec. 20, though Sandals South Coast remains closed as repairs continue.

When asked when Jamaica could see a 100 per cent recovery, Minister Bartlett estimated it could happen between early and late 2027, noting that some hotels are undergoing renovations and will need time to fully return.

What does Jamaica’s tourism recovery look like? What message are travel advisors sharing with their clients?

PAX caught up with Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, and Angella Bennett, regional director, Canada, at the Jamaica Tourist Board, and Nova Scotia-based Sharon Loppie of TravelBug Travel, in Montego Bay in December to learn more.