International hotel chain RIU says with Jamaica’s tourism industry working to resume its activity as soon as possible after Hurricane Melissa on October 28, it will be leading recovery, with its hotels already ready to operate.

RIU says it has worked intensely over the past few weeks on two priority lines: assisting its employees, both with coverage of basic needs and the reconstruction of their homes, and restoring operations as quickly as possible

“RIU’s commitment to Jamaica has focused first and foremost on its employees, in line with the Proudly Committed strategy. This has materialised in the form of direct aid and the restoration of employment. The chain has mobilised a fund of US$1,000,000, of which 80 per cent has been assigned directly to staff. This support includes US$570,000 specifically for providing materials for the reconstruction of employees’ homes, and US$230,000 for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. Additionally, it has enabled an interest-free credit line of US$1,300,000 to facilitate the management of damage,” the hotel said on Monday.

In addition, the hotel chain says the remaining 20 per cent of the aid fund is being allocated to the Jamaican community. In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, US$200,000 has been donated in humanitarian aid to deliver 1,750 support packages to isolated communities with limited assistance.

Furthermore, RIU has partnered with the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 solidarity meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to the affected communities.

Regarding re-openings, it said Riu Ocho Rios hotel never closed, while Riu Montego Bay opened on Sunday, and the Riu Palace Jamaica opens Monday.

The four remaining establishments (Riu Reggae; Riu Negril; Riu Palace Tropical Bay, and Riu Palace Aquarelle) have tentative opening dates scheduled from November 30 to December 15, 2025.

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, congratulated the hotel during his visit to Riu Ocho Rios last Thursday.

After 24 years in the destination, RIU has seven hotels in Jamaica in Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, totalling more than 4,000 rooms and 4,000 employees. The recent inauguration of the Riu Palace Aquarelle last year is a clear demonstration of the chain’s strong commitment to Jamaica, consolidating it as one of the most important destinations for RIU in the Caribbean.