November 28, 2025 TnH Global

New $1 Billion Fund Established to Assist Tourism Workers Impacted by Melissa

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.”

The Minister also lauded private sector players for the assistance provided to tourism workers. He underscored that tourism workers affected by the passage of the hurricane either through its impact on their homes or job disruptions are currently benefitting from care packages courtesy of their employers as well as interest-free loans. He noted that other companies are also assisting with the rebuilding of homes for displaced workers after assessing the extent of the damage. Minister Bartlett also stressed that the importance of tourism to national development has again been underscored as the industry takes the lead in another post disaster recovery. He emphasized the important role Ocho Rios must now play in the revival and renewal of the tourism sector as everyone works together on its restoration. With the forced closure of several hotels and other tourism entities in western Jamaica due to the impact of the hurricane, Minister Bartlett has challenged industry workers in the Ocho Rios resort area to lead the recovery effort.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right), discusses the phased reopening of the tourism sector with two team members of Chukka Caribbean Adventures (second left and centre) during a stop at Dunn’s River Falls, which formed part of the Tourism Recovery Tour of Ocho Rios. They are joined by President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Christopher Jarrett (left), and Chairman of the Tourism Recovery Task Force and Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, John Byles.

He projects that a full recovery of the tourism sector will take time but maintains that Jamaica will be open for the winter tourist season, starting December 15, 2025.

The day-long tour included visits to large and small hotels, the iconic Dunns River Falls attraction, Ocho Rios Craft Market and in-bond stores. “Ocho Rios is the resort area that is most complete in its readiness for both ends of the tourism spectrum, – cruise as well as stopovers,” Minister Bartlett observed. He indicated that at least one large hotel in Ocho Rios is already recording a 40% occupancy rate following the hurricane, and Ocho Rios is expecting to secure 18 cruise ship calls for November.

Minister Bartlett will be taking the message of recovery and resilience to Jamaica’s principal source markets over the next two weeks.

“On December 15th when we roll out significantly, we will be saying to the world, you can come and have your experiences in the varied destinations that are in Destination Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.