Jamaica Hoping to Reopen for Travel and Tourism by December 15

Jamaica aims to reopen its tourism by Dec. 15 in time for the busy winter season, following being hit by Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday.

Jamaica’s first category 5 hurricane left the country reeling, particularly in the western side of the island. Melissa made landfall near the town of New Hope, less than 40 miles from Montego Bay, with windspeeds of  of 185 mph. Several airports in Jamaica were impacted, as the storm left much of the country without power and under water.

In a statement released by the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett said he has set a firm target for the tourism industry to be “fully back in operation” by Dec. 15, 2025.

The government is working hard to reach that goal. The recovery plan anchored by two two initiatives: the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee, known as “Tourism Cares.” Both teams have been activated to coordinate public and private sector efforts in marketing, infrastructure repair, and community support.

“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling 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.”

Given the current situation on the ground in Jamaica, the outlook for the short-term is difficult to assess. While Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston and the Ian Fleming International Airport located in Boscobel, St Mary have both reopened, the country’s main hub, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, remains closed.

All three airports are open for relief efforts, according to Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s transportation minister. A representative from the Jamaica Tourist Board speaking on an ALG Vacations webinar on Thursday indicated that the Montego Bay airport may not reopen for commercial flights until next week.

“Tourism’s strength lies not just in its product offerings, but in its people and partnerships. The speed and synergy of our response show the industry’s resilience and our unwavering commitment to recovery with empathy, compassion, and innovation,” added Minister Bartlett.

Speaking to Travel Market Report, Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board, described Melissa’s impact:

“Jamaica’s tourism belt has been affected. Many hotels across the north and west coasts sustained varying levels of damage …. from flooded rooms and power outages to significant structural losses. Some properties have had to suspend operations, while others continue to provide shelter, food, and care for guests and staff.

Communications remain challenging, especially in parts of St. Elizabeth, Montego Bay, and Westmoreland, where roadways are blocked, power lines are down, and several properties are still unreachable. 

Despite these setbacks, reports confirm that most guests and tourism workers are safe … [a] testament to the careful preparation and quick response across the sector.”

Rose also stressed how hard first responders have been working to help during this crisis: “To every first responder, hotel worker, farmer, and neighbour helping neighbour — ‘THANK YOU.’ You are the heartbeat of Jamaica. You are the heroes and champions of Jamrock.”

“While full recovery will take time, the collective determination within Jamaica’s tourism industry is unwavering. The road ahead will require patience, partnership, and perseverance but the same spirit that welcomes the world to Jamaica is now fueling our recovery.”