Despite the passage of Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica in late October, shuttering numerous hotels for extended periods of time, Jamaica has been described as “a success story for tourism”.
The country’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, made the assertion at a media event in New York at the end of December.
While the storm significantly impeded arrivals and caused Jamaica to miss its record mark for the year, the island’s quick rebound following the strongest storm of the 2025 season and the third-strongest Atlantic storm ever put an exclamation point on Bartlett’s claim.
In fact, the island has received 300,000 visitors in the seven weeks following the storm.
Following Hurricane Melissa, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston both reopened in a matter of days. The week after, Bartlett had announced an optimistic goal of fully reopening to tourism by December 15.
While there has not been a full reopening as of yet, numerous hotels, including The Tryall Club, Sunset At The Palms Resort, the S Hotel in Montego Bay and Kingston, and five Sandals/Beaches resorts, are again welcoming guests. Overall, just over 70% of hotel rooms on the island are online, said Director of Tourism Donovan White.
Jamaica Director of Tourism Donovan White (Photo by Leonard McKenzie)
“This has truly been a collaborative effort. Hotels, attractions, transportation providers and government agencies have worked around the clock to ensure that Jamaica is ready to welcome our guests,” Bartlett said.
Some, however—including Hyatt’s Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa, Secrets St. James Montego Bay and Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay—will remain closed for most of 2026. Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica is expected to reopen in March 2026.
Prior to the hurricane, Jamaica was pacing 2% ahead of 2024’s record numbers. Now, it’s likely the island will receive somewhere between 70 and 80% of last year’s arrivals. When forecasting for next year, Bartlett expects Jamaica to reach 95 to 98% of its 2024 arrivals, pushing a full rebound to 2027 or later.
In the “silver linings” department, Jamaica is also able to use this time to redevelop the destinations hit by the storm so that they may be more welcoming to visitors in the future. “One of the things we’re looking at establishing is the National Reconstruction Authority, to rebuild areas differently [and] far more resilient,” said Bartlett.
Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (Photo by Leonard McKenzie)
Among the destinations being considered are Falmouth and Black River. As for the latter, Bartlett suggested rebuilding the down further inland to create “hugely touristic areas” along the waterfront. Jamaica may also be looking at Lucea, a coastal town between Montego Bay and Negril, for tourist-forward redevelopment. Hopewell, too—located between Montego Bay and Lucea—could also be among the locales to receive a facelift.
As for Falmouth, however, Bartlett said the updates would “redefine cruise tourism.” It’s currently home to the island’s largest cruise port.
Other updates call for new highways systems and telecommunications—not to mention the continued progress on five “mega-resorts” with a combined investment between $3 and 4 billion. Those include the UNICO 18°77° Hotel Montego Bay/Hard Rock Hotel and Casino complex; The Pinnacle, Jamaica; Harmony Cove; and the expansions of Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa and Bahia Principe.
“In the next three to four years, the development in Jamaica is going to change the landscape significantly,” said Bartlett.
