Room inventory surges back

Jamaica Gleaner | 2025-12-06 | Original Article

WESTERN BUREAU:

 

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism Donovan White has assured more than 250 visiting travel advisers that the country’s tourism recovery is accelerating faster than anticipated, revealing that 80 per cent of the island’s room stock will return to operation by January 31.

 

White delivered the update Friday morning at Sandals Dunn’s River in St Ann during the Sandals Back to Jamaica Town Hall, where the advisers, invited by Sandals Resorts International, are on the island to gain first-hand exposure to five of the company’s resorts. The resorts officially reopen tomorrow, one month and eight days after Hurricane Melissa struck the island.

 

The group represents key gateway markets – the United States, Jamaica’s largest source market, and Canada, its second largest.

 

White said 55 per cent of the country’s hotel rooms are currently open and welcoming guests.

 

“By December 31, that number goes to 68 per cent, and by the end of January, 80 per cent,” he declared, adding that such rapid progress “could not have been possible anywhere else”.

 

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett had previously projected that more than half of Jamaica’s 30,000 rooms would return to service by the start of the winter tourist season, December 15.

 

“That has happened,” White confirmed.

 

White reminded the audience that only 38 days have passed since Hurricane Melissa thrashed western Jamaica on October 28. The first week was spent accounting for residents and visitors islandwide, followed by another week focused on valuations, damage assessments, and delivering aid to the hardest-hit communities.

 

Throughout the period, the Jamaica Tourist Board maintained a global information portal to update partners. White reported 80 per cent power restoration and 80 per cent water restoration across the island as of yesterday.

 

He stressed that while the west endured the worst of the storm, much of Jamaica, including Kingston, St Ann, and St Mary, remained fully accessible.

 

“From here over to the east was relatively untouched,” he said, noting that the island’s three international airports continued operations.

 

White used the town hall to salute hospitality workers across Jamaica, praising their “unbelievable” determination and resilience. He singled out the Sandals team for restoring operations swiftly enough to host the large cohort of advisers experiencing the resorts ahead of their official reopening.

 

He also highlighted the work of the cross-sector task force coordinated by Jessica Shannon, supported by Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, in mobilising assistance for industry workers and affected communities.

 

While expressing gratitude for continued international aid, White urged the travel advisers to take the next step.

 

“What we want now is business,” he said. “Help us convert pity and empathy into support for lives and livelihoods in Jamaica.”

 

He stressed that attractions, tours, and a majority of hotels are already operating, ready to deliver a seamless visitor experience.

 

“The best way you can support Jamaica today,” he told them, “is to send your clients here, right here to Sandals, and across Jamaica. We are ready to do what we do best.”

 

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

 

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