Bartlett: 64,000 cruise passengers expected as tourism rebounds

Jamaica’s tourism industry is rebounding after Hurricane Melissa, with cruise ships returning, hotels reopening and officials projecting stronger visitor numbers by year end.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said eight cruise ships have already docked at Ocho Rios, bringing 32,000 passengers since the record-breaking Category-5 storm made landfall on October 28. Another eight are scheduled next week, expected to double the tally to 64,000.

Montego Bay pier will reopen Monday and be fully operational, Bartlett also disclosed.

“The cruise ship sector has opened up solidly,” Bartlett said, noting the arrivals show resilience and renewed confidence in Jamaica. He added that cruise lines continue to honour itineraries, underscoring recovery momentum.

About 60 per cent of hotel rooms will be available when the winter season begins on December 15, as some properties sustained more damage than initially assessed, according to Bartlett. He acknowledged several flight cancellations due to low passenger loads but expects increases once hotels reopen.

At a meeting with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, Bartlett said major operators assured him Jamaica remains a priority. Holland America Line is said to have confirmed the company’s commitment, saying its return to Ocho Rios reflects tourism’s vital role in the island’s recovery.

Bartlett also announced plans for a diaspora support programme with expanded promotion and advertising, alongside a larger tourism budget to re-establish Jamaica’s visibility. He will travel to Miami, Canada, New York and London to ramp up marketing.

He added that the recovery task force set up after Hurricane Melissa continues to work with utilities and partners to rebuild the industry.

Lester Hinds