Jamaica has set a clear and ambitious goal to restore full tourism operations by December 15, 2025, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Minister Edmund Bartlett has emphasised that recovery must be carefully organised, not left to chance, and that every supporting system—marketing, logistics, repairs, and communication—must work in sync. This decisive stand reflects the country’s commitment to stability, resilience, and confidence-building for workers, visitors, and global partners who rely on the sector’s timely revival.
To achieve this, the government has activated the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force, bringing together influential leaders from both public and private tourism bodies. The Task Force is chaired by John Byles, with Minister Bartlett as Chairman Emeritus, and includes key figures from tourism boards, major hotel groups, industry associations, and government agencies. Their combined experience is expected to guide rapid decision-making, coordinated restoration, and the rebuilding of destination readiness.
A parallel body, the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee—also known as “Tourism Cares”—has been launched to manage humanitarian, logistical, and community-support efforts that speed up recovery. Led by Jessica Shannon, this committee focuses on mobilising aid such as cash support, essential supplies, skilled volunteers, and expert assistance. Their work ensures that the help offered by partners is organised, transparent, and directed to those who need it most, from tourism workers to small and medium businesses.
The Recovery Task Force will oversee operational aspects such as quick assessments, infrastructure rehabilitation, safety inspections, and service preparedness. Their target is to bring hotels, attractions, airports, ports, and travel corridors back to full service within a tight deadline. By resolving bottlenecks, sequencing repairs efficiently, and collaborating with industry teams, the Task Force aims to restore visitor confidence and uphold Jamaica’s reputation as a reliable global destination.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee will handle the humanitarian backbone of the recovery. By working with ODPEM and using platforms like supportjamaica.gov.jm, they will track donations and distribute aid with accountability. Their efforts are designed to support the community-driven economic ecosystem that tourism depends on, ensuring that recovery is sustainable and widely beneficial.
Both bodies will partner closely with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to apply lessons from previous disasters, particularly Jamaica’s highly successful post-COVID-19 rebound. This combined strategy—bringing together resilience, collaboration, and decisive action—positions Jamaica to restore its tourism industry swiftly and confidently, while setting an example for global disaster-response planning.