Kingston, Jamaica — November 2025. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced an ambitious plan to restore the country’s tourism sector to full operation by December 15, 2025, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

To achieve this, the Ministry of Tourism has activated two high-level groups: the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (Tourism Cares), bringing together public and private sector leaders to coordinate a unified national response.

“Recovery cannot be left to chance,” said Minister Bartlett. “We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, logistics, and every enabling support behind one objective — full recovery of Jamaica’s tourism by December 15.”

Who Is Leading Jamaica’s Recovery

The Recovery Task Force is chaired by John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, with Minister Bartlett as Chairman Emeritus. The team includes high-profile figures such as:

• Hon. Tova Hamilton, Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism
• Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC)
• Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
• Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International
• Donovan White, Director of Tourism
• Christopher Jarrett, President, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA)

Supporting this group, the Tourism Cares Committee, chaired by Jessica Shannon, will manage donations, volunteer programs, and in-kind support for affected workers, MSMEs, and communities.

Key Priorities for Tourism Recovery

• Reassuring markets through regular public updates on tourism readiness.
• Restoring products such as beaches, roads, attractions, and ports.
• Protecting people and MSMEs by ensuring financial aid and support for quick recovery.

Bartlett emphasized that both task forces will work closely with the GTRCMC, applying lessons learned from Jamaica’s globally acclaimed post-COVID recovery model.

“Tourism’s strength lies not only in its attractions but in its people and partnerships,” Bartlett said. “The speed and unity of our response reflect our resilience and our commitment to rebuild with empathy, compassion, and innovation.”

With this initiative, Jamaica seeks not only to recover from the hurricane’s impact but also to reinforce its image as one of the most resilient and welcoming destinations in the Caribbean.