Nicola Madden-Greig, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), has commended the robust local and regional public-private sector partnerships while applauding tourism stakeholders across Jamaica for their exceptional preparedness in facing the formidable Category 4 Hurricane Beryl, which affected the island earlier this week.

“Jamaica was spared the worst of the hurricane, and we have now returned to regular business operations,” stated Madden-Greig, who experienced the storm from her office in Kingston. She reported that Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios reopened today, while Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is scheduled to reopen on Friday, July 5, after minor repairs.

“We have no reports of any guests being injured during the passage of the storm, and the majority of the hotels and the tourism industry, in general, have emerged unscathed,” Madden-Greig added.

However, she expressed concerns for the south coast of the island, where many local communities and several independent hotels and villa operations were impacted.

“We will be including these operators in our disaster relief efforts, particularly in the Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth area,” she noted, expressing confidence in the community's resilience and swift recovery.

Madden-Greig was also heartened by reports from the Cayman Islands, which confirmed no major impact on the tourism sector there. “We are thankful to God for sparing us for the most part, and we are now resolved to getting our industry back on track, while serving communities (especially those in the Grenadines) who are in dire need at this time,” she said.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations wishing to contribute to regional hurricane relief efforts may make a monetary donation at www.chtaef.com.