Jamaica has launched a $1 billion relief fund to support tourism workers whose lives and livelihoods were severely disrupted by Hurricane Melissa.
Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said the initiative combines $600 million in government funding with $400 million from private-sector partners, forming a coordinated effort to accelerate recovery. The fund will prioritize housing support and rehabilitation needs for workers across the sector.
Bartlett announced the measure while leading a recovery tour of Ocho Rios, where hotels, attractions, and small businesses are reopening in phases. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 storm, damaging infrastructure, washing out roads, disrupting water systems, and devastating agricultural communities. Despite the widespread impact, officials say the island is on track to welcome visitors again starting December 15.
Tourism leaders emphasized that reopening is essential not only for travelers but for the economic lifeline tourism provides. Early signs show progress, with Ocho Rios reporting rising hotel occupancy and expecting multiple cruise calls in the coming weeks. Officials say that restoring tourism operations will help stabilize communities, reconnect supply chains, and support the thousands of families who depend on the industry.
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