The public and private sector have joined forces to provide support for tourism workers in Jamaica whose lives were upended by Hurricane Melissa.
A fund valued at over $1 billion has been established with $600 million from the government of Jamaica and $400 million from the private sector, according to an announcement made today by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.
The fund will enable Destination Jamaica to “deploy relief resources more efficiently, by capitalizing on long established public-private sector partnerships,” said Bartlett, adding that the money will be used to help “tourism workers housing and other rehabilitation needs.”
Bartlett revealed news of the fund while leading a tourism recovery tour of Ocho Rios designed to highlight the phased reopening that’s taking place across Jamaica, including for hotels, attractions and local businesses.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the southern coast of Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28. It left behind massive destruction. In addition to at least 25 people being killed the hurricane severely disrupted critical infrastructure, washed-out roads, and damaged water systems. The hurricane also caused significant agricultural losses, including destroying crops.
Speaking at TravelPulse’s annual Travvy awards in Fort Lauderdale, Florida a few weeks ago, Philip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board, described the impact of the agricultural damage across Jamaica, sharing the story of a farmer named Norris who lost everything.
“It wasn’t too long ago that Norris was speaking so proudly of his tomatoes, the green onions, the yams – all the things that he grew for his number one client, which was a hotel in Montego Bay,” said Rose. “That hotel is now closed. So, Norris has to figure out a way to tell his daughters ‘Don’t worry, everything is going to be alright.’”
Philip Rose. (Photo Credit: Philip Rose.)
Despite all of the damage the island has experienced, local officials have said Jamaica is well on its way to recovery and will be open for business for this winter’s tourism season. The island is on track to welcome visitors as early as December 15, Bartlett said.
“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,” Bartlett said.
At least one large hotel in Ocho Rios is already recording a 40 percent occupancy rate following the hurricane. In addition, Ocho Rios is expecting 18 cruise ship calls in November.
“On December 15 when we roll out significantly, we will be saying to the world, you can come and have your experience in the varied destinations that are Destination Jamaica,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett isn’t the only one stressing the importance of Jamaica reopening quickly and tourists returning. Rose also sought to underscore how critical tourism is to Jamaica’s survival.
“Quite frankly we have to open,” Rose said at the Travvys. “Opening up our hotels, our attractions, is not a way of pretending that everything is fine. We know everything is not fine. But if we close tourism, the suffering will merely spread.”
If Jamaica’s tourism industry does not get back up and running quickly, Rose explained “the hotel that used to go buy products from that farmer (Norris) will cease to exist. The farmer will not be able to get money to buy produce…and the cycle of life across many villages in my home country will cease to exist. We have to open up. We will open up.”
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