News Releases

Tourism Sector Records Earnings of US$2.9 Billion Since January MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett wrapped up a recent Tourism Recovery Tour of Montego Bay with news that despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa last month, the destination area is on target to officially reopen for business on December 15, 2025. The announcement comes as Minister Bartlett also revealed that since the start of 2025 the sector has recorded tourism earnings of US$2.9 billion. With the official reopening deadline fast approaching, Minister Bartlett said he expects that the year's total earnings should reach approximately US$3.5 billion. This outlook is strengthened by a recent UN Tourism report which indicates that global tourism arrivals had surpassed 1.1 billion at the end of September, 2025. The UN Tourism Barometer projects increased growth continuing at a rate of 3 to 5 percent.

Negril, Jamaica; Monday, December 1, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has declared that Negril will officially reopen for business on December 15, 2025 following a rapid and coordinated recovery effort after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking at the end of a Negril Tourism Recovery Tour on the weekend, Minister Bartlett said the uniquely styled resort area – long branded the “Capital of Casual” – has shown remarkable resilience, driven by strong collaboration among tourism partners, their workers and surrounding communities. The tour placed particular emphasis on Negril’s signature boutique hotels, while also including major resort properties and key attractions along the corridor. Across the board, operators reported that the eagerness of staff and community members to rally around cleanup efforts has allowed many properties to begin receiving guests again and prepare for the critical winter tourist season, underscoring that Negril’s recovery is being led from the ground up by small Jamaican businesses that define the destination’s character.

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, November 24, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that a special fund, valued at over $1 Billion, has been established to assist tourism workers who have been negatively impacted by hurricane Melissa. The Minister made the announcement as he led a tourism recovery tour of Ocho Rios recently, which highlighted the phased reopening of Ocho Rios hotels, attractions and local businesses, as well as various responsible and people-centred recovery efforts. Minister Bartlett outlined that "the Government of Jamaica is putting $600 million, along with the private sector which is contributing some $400 million, in creating a fund of over a $1 billion for the tourism workers housing and other rehabilitation needs." Mr. Bartlett explained that “this blended approach to funding will enable Destination Jamaica to deploy relief resources more efficiently, by capitalizing on long established public-private sector partnerships.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, November 7, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep gratitude to the island’s tourism partners, including two of Jamaica’s leading cruise tourism stakeholders, for their generous support of national relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa. His comments come as the global tourism industry rallies in solidarity with the destination during this critical period of recovery. Through the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee — “Jamaica Tourism Cares,” and with the support of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), major partners Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group have made significant contributions to national recovery efforts being coordinated by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). Reflecting a strong spirit of partnership and humanitarian support, Carnival Horizon made a special relief call to Ocho Rios on November 4, 2025, delivering thousands of essential supplies including bottled water, baby food, diapers, canned goods, cereal, and hygiene products.

Bartlett Activates Recovery Task Force and Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, October 30, 2025: In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has set a firm target for Jamaica’s tourism industry to be fully back in operation by December 15, 2025. To deliver on that goal, the Ministry has activated a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to synchronise public and private sector action. “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,” he added.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Saturday, October 25, 2025 – Jamaica's tourism industry is showcasing its resilience and crisis management capabilities as it prepares for Hurricane Melissa, with Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, highlighting the sector's comprehensive preparedness systems that will be activated. Minister Bartlett emphasized that Jamaica's proven track record in preparedness positions the destination to maintain its reputation for visitor safety and operational excellence even during challenging weather conditions. “Our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises is what continues to set Jamaica apart as a world-class destination,” Minister Bartlett stated. “Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica's tourism success. We have learnt from experience that preparedness is the foundation of recovery.”