MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President Christopher Jarrett is cautiously optimistic that hoteliers will weather any fallout now that the declaration of a hurricane watch, as storm system Melissa approaches, has triggered a clause that says bookings may be cancelled without penalty.

“With respect to bottom line, it is just another one of those incidents that we have to try to manage around. We are hopeful that if it in fact hits in a direct way that we will, hopefully, be able to recover in short order, depending on the severity of the thing. But it’s difficult to predict at this time what will be the severity of the fallout with respect to operations,” Jarrett told the
Jamaica Observer Thursday morning.

He expressed guarded confidence in the hotel sector’s prospects for recovery even while acknowledging guidelines that once a hurricane watch has been declared, prospective visitors are entitled to cancel their bookings at no cost.

“That is what is recommended by the Jamaica Tourist Board, but each property, as you may well understand, would have their peculiar policies that would protect them against this kind of situation. As I said, some properties may refund, some may decide not to; they’re guided by the recommendation of the tourist board,” Jarrett said.

Along with the rest of Jamaica the JHTA president was eagerly waiting to see, early Thursday, what path slow-moving Melissa will take over the next few days. However, he noted that if it does approach Jamaica, measures are already in place through collaboration between the JHTA and the Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC). With 139,302 square feet of meeting space, MBCC is the designated shelter during national emergencies. It is where Montego Bay hotels typically arrange for displaced guests — particularly those from properties affected by flooding or operational disruptions — to be accommodated.

Jarrett appealed to hoteliers to ensure that all safety measures are in place.

“In such situations we usually ensure our generators are gassed up and tested, and that we have enough of our usual supplies, particularly water, bottled water, in this situation. Most hotels, you would well understand, would have backup water supplies, and [the norm is] to just ensure that those are being properly managed,” he said.

For his part, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has urged all industry stakeholders, partners, and visitors across the country to take every necessary precaution.

In a release Wednesday, Bartlett noted that while the weather system’s path remains uncertain at this time, his ministry is working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, and other relevant agencies to ensure the sector’s preparedness and safety.

“Resilience has long been at the heart of Jamaica’s tourism success,” Bartlett pointed out.

“We have learnt from experience that preparedness is the foundation of recovery. As Tropical Storm Melissa approaches I urge all our stakeholders — including hoteliers, attraction owners, transportation operators, and our hospitable tourism workers — to initiate their internal disaster risk management systems and ensure that safety remains the top priority,” he added.

The minister explained that in anticipation of the system’s arrival, the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) had a scheduled activation time of 10:00 am Thursday at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. The TEOC will ensure continued coordination among key agencies and industry partners to protect the sector.

“Our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises is what continues to set Jamaica apart as a world-class destination,” Bartlett stressed.

JARRETT… some properties may refund, some may decide not to; they’re guided by the recommendation of the tourist board.