TORONTO — Jamaica’s peak tourism season is one month away, and officials in the hurricane-ravaged nation are rushing to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa, especially to the island’s western region.

Before the storm hit on Oct. 28, Jamaica’s government expected Jamaica’s tourism industry to grow by 7% this winter season and was preparing to welcome an estimated 4.3 million visitors.

Now, officials are scrambling to repair hotels and clear debris in the western half of the island in hopes of securing tourist dollars at a moment when they’re needed the most.

“We are still doing our assessments, but most of the damage was in the northwest and southwest,” said Christopher Jarrett, who leads the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.

He noted that the popular Negril area in Westmoreland was spared major damage.

All international airports in Jamaica have reopened and are receiving commercial flights, however tourism officials are still trying to get a true picture of the damage to the sector — a mainstay of the island’s economy.

Jarrett said the lobby group that represents private hotels and attractions on the island is still unable to reach many of its members, especially in the western parish of Hanover, as communication and electricity services were down.

“Every individual member who was affected is doing everything to get back up and running,” he said.

In recent days, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said he expected Jamaica’s tourism sector to be back to normal by Dec. 15, the start of the island’s peak tourism season.

“It’s doable for some and not for others,” Jarrett said of the timeline, pointing out that the larger hotel chains would be able to recover quicker.

Jarrett, who operates the family-owned Altamont Court Hotel that has properties in Kingston and Montego Bay, said only one property in Montego Bay sustained roof damage and that repairs were underway.

Despite the disruption to the important tourism sector, Jarrett said he doesn’t expect the economic fallout to be significant. He said many hotels in the capital of Kingston and in the northern coastal town of Ocho Rios were gaining business from the influx of aid workers and volunteers in the hurricane’s aftermath.

“Right now, we’re giving discounts, between 25% and 50%, and some (hotels) are giving complimentary stays as well,” Jarrett said.

Tourism is Jamaica’s main source of foreign exchange earnings, contributing a combined 30% to gross domestic product directly and indirectly. It employs an estimated 175,000 people and is a major economic driver for other sectors in the Jamaican economy, such as construction, banking and finance, utilities and agriculture.

The disruption to the tourism sector also is affecting many providers of goods and services.

“With some of the hotels closed and most of the tourists gone, many of us are left without work. This storm didn’t just destroy buildings; it shattered jobs and incomes for many of us and our families,” said Patricia Mighten, who works in the western parish of Hanover as a hotel housekeeper.

The government announced Monday that the death toll increased to 32 and is expected to keep rising.

Crews are still trying to access 25 isolated areas in western Jamaica as helicopters continue to drop food for them. Nearly half of all power customers remain without electricity.

TOUR OPS UPDATE

On Oct. 30 ACV posted an update saying that its leisure travel program to Jamaica had been temporarily suspended, with instructions for travellers booked through Nov. 15.

Now Sunwing Vacations has paused its Jamaica program through Nov. 15 as well, according to a Nov. 3 update. “Following Hurricane Melissa, our local teams in Jamaica are actively assessing the impact to airports, resorts, and nearby areas. To give the destination time to recover and ensure the best possible experience, Sunwing Vacations has made the decision to pause travel to Jamaica through to November 15.” More information is here.

So far Transat has cancelled its Jamaica flights until Nov. 5 inclusive. More details can be found here.

The JTB’s FAQ page is here.

COUPLES RESORTS: NOV. 15

Couples Resorts has issued a post-Melissa update as well.

“Our dedicated teams are working tirelessly to restore full operations following Hurricane Melissa. We’re grateful to share that our resorts experienced only minimal impact, and we’re focused on ensuring the well-being of our team members and guests as we move forward. We’re also deeply thankful for our wonderful guests, whose kindness, patience, and support have meant so much throughout this time. We look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon,” says the company.

“While a full assessment of the island is being done to ensure we can safely receive guests and provide services, we will not be accepting guests through Nov. 15, 2025.

“If you have a booking through Nov. 15, Couples Resorts will waive any applicable change or cancellation fees. Guests with travel plans after Nov. 16 may revise or reschedule their stay without penalty through Dec. 24, 2025, or choose a travel credit valid for one year from the original arrival date.”

With file from The Associated Press