NERGIL, Westmoreland — Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says despite the widespread devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa, investor confidence in Jamaica’s tourism sector remains firm, with all previously announced hotel expansions still moving ahead.

Speaking at the Ritz Café during a tour of Negril last Friday, Bartlett said not a single investor has withdrawn, or delayed, planned development in the aftermath of the Category 5 storm.

According to Bartlett, this is a powerful signal of global confidence in Jamaica’s long-term tourism future.

“One of the elements that is worthy of mentioning is the extent to which the confidence of our partners remain very high in the destination. So much so that every single property that had planned expansion and further development is still going through with their programme,” said Bartlett.

He noted that construction on several large projects remains scheduled, including significant developments in Hanover, St James, and Trelawny.

“We left Palladium where we were just reminded that the 1,000 additional rooms that are going to be built will start construction in January of 2026,” said Bartlett as he noted that the Sandals group has also confirmed that its development plans will proceed as scheduled.

“In the case of Bahia Principe, who we have heard about too, that expansion programme is on. It’s not only that they’re refurbishing the 1,300 rooms they now have, but they may be building 365 high-end luxury rooms to add to that, within the period.

“So when they open in early 2027 they will be looking like a brand new hotel employing up to 3,000 workers, addition to the already 2,000 plus that they have at this time,” Bartlett explained.

He attributed the continued developments of the tourism sector as a testament of the destination’s toughness.

“What we’re saying, therefore, is that Jamaica is not only a symbol of resilience, and our tourism is not just a symbol of strength, but it is also a symbol of confidence that the world has in a small destination such as ours, experiencing the worst weather event, arguably, in the northern Caribbean ever, and certainly for Jamaica, the first of its kind. And that within a month, we are able to say to the world honestly and genuinely, we are open and ready for it,” Bartlett said.

The tourism minister also used the occasion to issue a message of gratitude to international partners and visitors who have headed to Jamaica.

“So to the world, Jamaica is indicating not just a welcome, but we also saying thanks. We’re saying thanks to you for coming, and thanks for you who are coming. And we know that this will be a strong enough winter, notwithstanding the fact that we are starting with about 65 or 66 per cent of our properties impacted,” added Bartlett.

He declared that by the middle of 2026 more than 80 per cent of Jamaica’s tourism assets should be active and working, and by the start of 2027 to 90 per cent should be active, “with maybe with just one or possibly two of our partners not coming back fully.”

The tourism minister also praised utility companies, government agencies, workers, and hospitality teams for their role in rebuilding and recovery efforts.

“And so I want to use the opportunity to say thanks to the partners, to the workers, to our service providers, and particularly our utility service providers, the Jamaica Public Service, and the National Water Commission, our ministers who have been there, our prime minister, the Cabinet, and the entire team who have been working so hard on bringing the critical areas of concern into the mainstream of reconstruction and redevelopment.

“We are here for you. We will give you the kind of experiences that you have come to know about Jamaica and even more,” said Bartlett.

He argued that Jamaica’s greatest asset remains its diversity of experiences and destinations.

“I just want to make that point that we are one of the few countries in the entire Caribbean, including the Latin Caribbean, which has multiple destinations within our destiny. So when we go to Ocho Rios, it’s another experience, We go to Port Antonio, it’s another experience…the Kingston, the Negril is another experience, and the south-east Treasure Beach and so on, it’s another experience,” said Bartlett.

Describing Jamaica as “wonderful piece of paradise,” Bartlett urged the global travel market to continue supporting the country’s recovery.

“We’re saying the best way to support us after Melissa is to visit us,” he invited.

Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures John Byles (second right) hosts a delegation of tourism officials led by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (fourth right) at Chukka Ocean Outpost in Sandy Bay on Friday. (Photo: Horace Hines)