Jamaica Outlines Tourism Recovery Plan After Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has set a target for Jamaica’s tourism industry to return to full operation by December 15, 2025. To support this goal, the Ministry has established a Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to align public and private sector efforts.
“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and all required support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” said Minister Bartlett.
“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. Members include Hon. Tova Hamilton; Professor Lloyd Waller of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC); Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith; Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts International (SRI); Ian Dear 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, Wade Mars, Dr. Carey Wallace, Tanikie McClarthy Allen, and Fiona Fennell.
The Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”), chaired by Jessica Shannon, includes Christopher Jarrett, Nicola Madden-Greig, Elizabeth Fox, Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith, and Joy Roberts. Additional members include representatives from Jamaica Customs, Donovan White, Angella Bennett, Phillip Rose, Inverotel Group, and the Ministry’s Communications Team.
The Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force will oversee the operational restart of the sector—conducting assessments, coordinating repairs, and preparing resorts, attractions, airports, ports, and key corridors for visitor readiness. The team will help remove bottlenecks, organise repair timelines, and guide market re-entry strategies to restore service standards and visitor confidence by December 15.
“Tourism Cares” will manage and coordinate assistance efforts, including financial support, goods, volunteers, and expertise. Working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), it will direct contributions through supportjama.gov.jm for transparent processing and timely delivery to workers, MSMEs, and communities connected to the visitor economy.
Key Areas of Alignment Include:
Reassuring Markets: Coordinated communications on tourism readiness.
Restoring Product: Streamlined assessments and repairs for beaches, attractions, roads, utilities, and port areas.
Supporting People & MSMEs: Directing relief and assistance to help workers, suppliers, and small businesses return to work.
Minister Bartlett noted that both task forces will work closely with the GTRCMC to integrate insights from past recovery initiatives, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
“Tourism’s strength continues to come from its people and partnerships. The coordinated response reflects the sector’s resilience and commitment to recovery grounded in collaboration and care,” he added.
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