NEW DELHI,28^th October 2025: Jamaica’s tourism industry has been placed on full alert as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island. The Ministry of Tourism, under the leadership of the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is working closely with all tourism stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of visitors, tourism workers, and local communities.

Minister Bartlett has assured international partners and the global travel trade that Jamaica’s tourism sector remains fully prepared to manage the evolving situation. “Our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises is what continues to set Jamaica apart as a world-class destination,” said Minister Bartlett. “Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica’s tourism success. We have learnt from experience that preparedness is the foundation of recovery.”

The Minister emphasized that, over the past 24 hours, the Ministry has maintained continuous communication with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), airline partners, and accommodation providers. These coordinated efforts are ensuring the orderly departure of guests from the island ahead of any weather disruptions. Airlines have also deployed additional flights and larger aircraft to facilitate smooth evacuations.

The Ministry has activated the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC), which now serves as the communication hub for the tourism sector. Operating on a 24-hour basis, the TEOC is coordinating closely with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, and Destination Managers in all resort areas.

In the event that weather conditions worsen, the Ministry, in collaboration with the JHTA, has activated contingency plans to establish emergency shelter facilities for visitors who may need to remain on the island during the passage of the storm.

Minister Bartlett added, “This coordinated response reflects Jamaica’s investment in robust disaster risk management systems across all levels of our tourism industry. From our hoteliers and attraction operators to our transportation providers and dedicated tourism workers, we have established protocols that prioritize safety while maintaining service excellence.”

He further noted that Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders are highly experienced in implementing emergency plans, a capability developed through continuous training and years of operational experience. “By preparing now, we ensure that Jamaica remains strong, safe, resilient, and ready to continue operations moving forward,” he said.

The Ministry and its public bodies continue to monitor all official updates and maintain open communication with partners to ensure seamless information flow and swift action as the situation evolves.

“Jamaica has long been recognized for its resilience and preparedness, and this situation once again demonstrates our collective commitment to the safety of our visitors and the strength of our tourism industry,” Minister Bartlett affirmed.

ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, New Delhi, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world's best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared 'World's Leading Cruise Destination' and 'World's Leading Family Destination' for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the 'Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board' for the 17^th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for 'Best Travel Agent Academy Program' and silver for 'Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean' and 'Best Tourism Board – Caribbean'. The destination also received bronze recognition for 'Best Destination – Caribbean', 'Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean', and 'Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean'. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for 'International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support' for a record-setting 12^th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).