In response to the widespread impact of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced a target date of Dec. 15, 2025, for the island’s tourism industry to be fully operational again.
To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Tourism has launched two coordinated recovery bodies: the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (Tourism Cares). Both entities are designed to align the country’s public and private sector efforts in marketing, infrastructure repair, communications and community support.
“Recovery cannot be left to chance,” said Minister Bartlett, in a press statement. “We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15. 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 group includes senior representatives from across Jamaica’s tourism and hospitality sectors, including the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Sandals Resorts International and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).
The Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (Tourism Cares), chaired by Jessica Shannon, Chief Experience Officer at Sandals Resorts International, will focus on mobilizing assistance—including financial aid, in-kind goods, skilled volunteers and technical expertise—for workers, MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and communities most affected by the storm.
Both task forces will collaborate closely with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) to apply best practices from previous recovery initiatives, including Jamaica’s successful post-pandemic rebound.
According to Minister Bartlett, the effort underscores Jamaica’s commitment to rebuilding its tourism sector with “empathy, compassion, and innovation,” while maintaining the confidence of global travel partners and future visitors.
For more information, visit visitjamaica.com.
