Word from Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett that Jamaica’s tourism sector is rebounding with strong momentum following the passage of Hurricane Melissa is music to our ears.

Mr Bartlett, who carries a steady, unshakeable optimism — an instinctive belief that every challenge presents an opportunity — reported on Friday, after visiting hotels and attractions across Negril, that hotel operations have largely been restored, with occupancy levels and forward bookings trending upward.

Additionally, Mr Bartlett told us that the destination remains firmly on track for its reopening on December 15.

And, “when all the properties are back by May, June, July of 2026 Jamaica will be cooking with gas,” he said.

As we said, that is truly uplifting news, as it comes against the background of the larger picture of our resolve to recover from the devastating hurricane.

There is no doubt that now Jamaica stands at a critical juncture, and Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness is right to argue that the nation’s long-term recovery must be anchored in the revival of its own economy.

International aid has been essential in the immediate aftermath — providing relief, restoring basic services, and helping families regain a sense of stability. But, as the prime minister correctly pointed out, aid, by its very nature, is temporary. Donations eventually slow down, emergency missions end, and global attention inevitably shifts elsewhere.

What must remain is a strong, self-sustaining Jamaican economy capable of carrying the nation through the long road of rebuilding.

Prime Minister Holness made that point in his statement to Parliament on November 4.

“The Government,” he insisted, “must be able to stand on its own two feet and manage its finances because, while we intend to ensure that the relief phase is efficiently conducted, the recovery phase might be extended and therefore with not just the loss of physical assets, but the requirement to spend on increased social safety net, welfare and social support, we will have to have the revenues to support it.”

As such, he argued that getting the economy up and running immediately “is the only way we’re going to be able to fund the recovery quickly”.

Revitalising economic activity is not a mere policy preference; it is a necessity for resilience. Jobs, investment, and productive industries generate the revenue required to repair infrastructure, restore homes, and support vulnerable communities long after foreign assistance fades.

A dynamic economy empowers citizens rather than leaving them dependent on external goodwill. In this sense, Prime Minister Holness’s call is not only pragmatic, it reflects confidence in Jamaica’s own capacity to rebound.

Encouragingly, tourism — one of the country’s most vital economic engines — already shows signs of a rebound. Minister Bartlett’s report of strong forward bookings is more than an economic statistic, it represents a vote of confidence from global travellers and industry partners.

At a time when images of devastation could easily deter visitors, the continued interest in Jamaica speaks to the goodwill the nation has earned over decades of excellence.

We acknowledge that tourism’s early resurgence will not solve every problem, but it can provide the momentum needed to jump-start wider recovery efforts.

There is no denying the hardships facing affected communities, nor the emotional toll of loss. But Jamaica has never been a nation to retreat in the face of adversity. By focusing on economic revitalisation while the world’s sympathy is still fresh, and ensuring that tourism’s early rebound is matched by growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and small business, Jamaica can transform crisis into opportunity. Strong leadership, a resilient people, and a recovering economy can together build not just back, but better.