SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER — “Looks great.” “Exceeded my expectations.”

Those were just two of the many positive reactions ‘Back to Jamaica’ FAM agents shared with Travelweek yesterday, at the Canadian reception at the beautiful rooftop Ocarina bar at Sandals Dunn’s River.

Seeing is believing for the Canadian advisors here in Jamaica this week with Sandals Resorts.

Pool time on the #BacktoJamaica trip

“I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED”

Asked what they expected to see in Jamaica post-Melissa – and what they actually found – Canadian agents told Travelweek that Ocho Rios looks virtually the same as it always has.

“If you’ve never been here, you’d never know there’d been a hurricane,” said Angela Waite with Direct Travel in Ottawa.

“Everything looks great. I was pleasantly surprised,” she said.

Jamaica is a huge part of Waite’s business, representing about 90% of her agency’s bookings.

For all the travel advisors and travellers who can’t get enough Sandals, this sign says it all

Even on the ride in from Montego Bay, which did take a strong hit from the Cat. 5 storm, agents didn’t see what they expected to see. “With all the reports of flooding, I thought the vegetation would be in really bad shape. But everything is green, there are flowers … seeing the hibiscus growing everywhere, it just made my heart happy to see them,” said Stephanie Edwards, based in Glencoe, ON with The Travel Agent Next Door.

The agents on this three-night FAM are thrilled that five of Sandals Resorts’ Jamaica properties – Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril, will reopen this Saturday.

The company’s remaining three resorts here — Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast — will reopen May 30, 2026.

IN-PERSON TOWN HALL

Onanta Forbes with Travel Time Inc. in Ottawa told Travelweek that for her clients, she’s positioning Sandals Dunn’s River as an alternative to Sandals South Coast.

Sandals Resorts Internationalʻs Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart, spoke frankly about Melissa’s impact on Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast during his virtual Town Hall last month.

An in-person Town Hall took place this morning, hosted by Stewart and UVIʻs EVP, Sales & Industry Relations, Gary Sadler.

Parts of Jamaica, including Black River and other parts of the south coast, were hit hard by Melissa, and are still very much in recovery mode.

Karla Amaya (left) with Sunset Travel in Saskatoon and Stephanie Edwards, TTAND, Glencoe, ON

Agents on this FAM brought plenty of supplies, and this morning’s Town Hall also featured a presentation by Heidi Clarke, Executive Director for The Sandals Foundation.

More details from today’s Town Hall will be featured in Travelweek Daily next week.

Seeing is believing for the agents – and for their clients, hearing is believing.

Edwards and Waite told Travelweek many of their Jamaica clients are ready to book, and are just waiting for the ‘OK’ that their favourite destination is back. “I’ve got clients waiting to hear from me right after this trip,” said Edwards.

Angela Waite (left) with Direct Travel in Ottawa and Onanta Forbes, Travel Time Inc. in Ottawa

As Maureen Barnes-Smith, VP, Sales & Marketing for Unique Vacations (Canada) Inc., told Travelweek at Wednesday’s kick-off party, “tourism is the backbone of Jamaica. It drives the economy. The best way to help Jamaica, is to sell Jamaica.”

Thanks to Island Routes, yesterday morning agents had a chance to explore some of Ocho Rios’ most popular and best-known attractions.

Mystic Mountain is home to the iconic Rainforest Bobsled ride

At Mystic Mountain, just a 10-minute drive from Sandals Dunn’s River, agents took the Sky Explorer chairlift up, up, up – to 700 feet above sea level – for a fun go on the iconic Rainforest Bobsled ride, the Raggamuffin ride, Anancy’s Web Rope Course and the Canopy Zipline.

Others enjoyed Yaaman Adventure Park, a catamaran cruise or a round of golf.

Watch for more coverage from Sandals Resorts’ ‘Back to Jamaica’ trip, including today’s Town Hall, in Travelweek Daily on Dec. 8.

Lead image caption: SkyPool Suite view of Sandals Dunn’s River, Dec. 4, 2025