Meagan Drillinger
Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, presenting a serious test of resilience for one of the Caribbean's most tourism-dependent economies.
Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Americas at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), was off the island when the storm hit. But upon his return, he as encouraged by what he saw: recovery efforts already well underway.
"I flew into the country on (Nov. 3). The airport is up and running," Rose said, referring to the heavily trafficked Ian Fleming Airport in Ocho Rios. "The drive from Ocho Rios to Montego Bay was clear. You see some fallen trees and one or two billboards that have seen better days, but overall the north coast is already getting back to what we need it to be."
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Rose reported that several hotels on the north coast have already reopened, including Moon Palace Jamaica and Oceans by H10, with several RIU properties expected to follow within days. "That's very encouraging," he added. "The most empowering thing I saw was locals -- mostly hospitality workers -- showing up for work the day after the hurricane. The cleanup has already begun."
According to a statement from the Jamaica Tourist Board, preliminary assessments indicate that while many properties experienced temporary power and utility disruptions, most remain structurally sound.
"The electrical grid along much of the north coast should be fully restored by early [this] week," Rose said. "We're looking realistically at about 80% recovery of our inventory -- hotels, attractions, DMCs, transportation -- by Dec. 15, when our winter season typically begins. We're asking travelers to pack patience and understanding. Your favorite swim-up bar might not be open, but there's another one down the beach."
While Jamaica's southwestern region absorbed the brunt of the storm, Rose emphasized that the island's main tourism corridors remain open. "The vast majority of Kingston, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio are up and running," he said. "It's important that travelers and advisors understand our geography. A storm impacting the southwest is like one hitting the Gulf Coast -- it doesn't mean you can't go to Miami. Jamaica is the same."
A message to travel advisors
For travel advisors, his message was clear: don't cancel. "Tourism for Jamaica is the pathway to recovery," Rose said. "It represents a fare for a taxi driver, a purchase for a craft vendor. Agents are critical to our comeback. What drew the international community to Jamaica -- our music, our food, our hospitality -- none of that was damaged. Hurricane Melissa couldn't touch that."
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To help advisors stay informed, the JTB has launched a dedicated travel alert page, updated three times daily, listing the operational status of hotels and attractions across the island. Already, 30 hotels that had closed due to Melissa have reopened, and another 50 are ready to start taking reservations for the winter season.
As Rose put it, "We took it on the chin, but we're open. Don't forget about Jamaica right now. Call us -- we're here to answer questions, and we'll be up and running for the winter."