Bartlett urges tourism sector to heighten readiness for Tropical Storm Melissa

With Tropical Storm Melissa inching closer to Jamaica, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is urging industry players and visitors to act swiftly to protect lives and property, describing preparedness as “the foundation of recovery.”

Speaking ahead of the storm’s projected approach, Bartlett said the Ministry is working in tandem with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the Meteorological Service of Jamaica to safeguard the sector.

“Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica’s tourism success,” Bartlett stated in a press release Wednesday afternoon.

“We have learnt from experience that preparedness is key. I urge all our stakeholders…hoteliers, attraction owners, transportation operators, and our tourism workers, to activate their internal disaster risk management systems and ensure that safety remains the top priority.”

The Tourism Emergency Operations Centre is scheduled to be activated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston to coordinate communication between the Ministry, emergency agencies,

Bartlett emphasised that Jamaica’s quick, organised response to crises has become a defining feature of its resilience as a destination.

“Let us remain calm, vigilant, and united in our efforts to protect both our people and our industry,” he said, adding that the Ministry will continue to monitor updates from the Meteorological Service and advise the sector accordingly.

As Jamaica braces for the possibility of heavy rainfall and high winds, the tourism minister is reminding all industry players that “preparation, not panic” is what will carry the sector safely through.

“Our collective calm and coordination will determine how quickly we rebound,” Bartlett said.

“Jamaica has done it before and we’ll do it again.”

Meanwhile, across Jamaica, resorts have begun to review their emergency procedures and remind guests of the policies in place to assist during severe weather events.

In Trelawny, Ocean by H10 Hotels, operators of the Ocean Coral Spring and Ocean Eden Bay, has circulated its Hurricane Policy to travel partners, assuring flexibility for affected guests through to November 30.

“Ocean by H10 Hotels understands that severe weather events may cause our guests to consider changing their travel plans,” the statement read.

“With this in mind, we offer our guests several options in the event of a hurricane warning in destination, as defined by the US National Weather Service.”

The policy allows: guests who depart early to receive a refund or credit for unused nights; cancellations within 48 hours of arrival without penalty; distressed passenger rates for guests stranded after their original departure dates and flexible rescheduling for travellers wishing to arrive after the storm passes, with no rate increase.

The resort emphasised that the policy applies only when an official hurricane warning is issued, not during watches or tropical storm alerts.

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