KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Jamaica has unveiled a major financial support initiative to help tourism workers recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett announced that a new fund valued at more than $1 billion has been created through a public-private partnership, offering targeted assistance to employees whose homes and livelihoods have been affected.
Speaking during a tourism recovery tour of Ocho Rios, the Minister said the initiative reflects a coordinated approach to helping workers regain stability while ensuring the country’s visitor infrastructure returns to strength. “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,” he said.
He added that the model leverages long-established cooperation between government and industry to ensure meaningful support reaches those who need it most. “This blended approach to funding will enable Destination Jamaica to deploy relief resources more efficiently, by capitalizing on long established public-private sector partnerships.”
Minister Bartlett lauded the private sector for assisting tourism workers who’ve either had their homes damaged or jobs disrupted as a result of the hurricane. He confirmed that these workers are currently benefitting from care packages courtesy of their employers as well as interest-free loans, and that other companies are also assisting with the rebuilding of homes for displaced workers.
With several properties in western Jamaica closed due to storm damage, the destination is turning to Ocho Rios as a key driver of its tourism restart. “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,” said the Minister, adding that at least one large hotel in the city is already recording a 40% occupancy rate following the hurricane. Ocho Rios is also expected to secure 18 cruise ship calls for November.
Although a full recovery of the tourism sector will take time, Minister Bartlett maintains that Jamaica will be open for the winter tourist season, starting Dec. 15, 2025.
“On Dec. 15 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 the Minister.
Lead image caption: Minister Edmund Bartlett (second from right) at Dunn’s River Falls, Nov. 20, 2025
