PALMA DE MALLORCA — RIU Hotels & Resorts is preparing to reopen all seven of its properties in Jamaica before the end of the year, spearheading the island’s tourism recovery after Hurricane Melissa.

The reopening comes alongside the return of charter flight operations from key markets including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, supported by Sunwing and TUI.

RIU teams preparing meals in collaboration with World Central Kitchen

The reactivation of operations is being carried out in phases. The Riu Ocho Rios, located in one of the areas least affected by the storm, has remained open and has already restored all services. The Riu Montego Bay reopened its doors on Nov. 23, followed by the Riu Palace Jamaica on Nov. 24, reintroducing the chain’s premium offering as part of the first stage of reactivation. The four remaining hotels – Riu Reggae, Riu Negril, Riu Palace Tropical Bay, and Riu Palace Aquarelle – have tentative reopening dates between Nov. 30 and Dec. 15, 2025.

RIU’s operational and technical teams mobilized quickly in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, undertaking the necessary cleaning and repair work to ensure hotels were ready in record time. The primary challenges involved restoring water and electricity services, which are now fully operational across all properties.

A key priority for RIU has been supporting its employees, in line with the company’s Proudly Committed sustainable strategy. This includes direct aid and the restoration of employment through the mobilization of a fund valued at US$1,000,000, of which 80% has been assigned directly to staff. This support also includes $570,000 for reconstruction materials to repair employees’ homes, and $230,000 for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. In addition, an interest-free credit line of $1,300,000 has been activated to facilitate the management of damages.

Aid packages being assembled

The remaining 20% of the aid fund is being directed to the Jamaican community. In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, RIU has donated $200,000 in humanitarian aid to provide 1,750 support packages to isolated communities with limited assistance. The chain has also partnered with the NGO World Central Kitchen to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to affected areas. This initiative not only ensures one hot meal per day for residents in the hardest-hit locations but also provides employment opportunities for RIU staff while operations are being restored.

After 24 years in Jamaica, RIU now operates seven hotels across Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, comprising more than 4,000 rooms and employing over 4,000 staff. The recent opening of the Riu Palace Aquarelle last year further reinforces the company’s commitment to the destination, solidifying Jamaica as one of RIU’s key markets in the Caribbean.

Caption for lead image: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, congratulates RIU team members during his visit to Riu Ocho Rios