Nearly two weeks after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) says the historic storm has “tested our resilience as a nation like never before”, reaffirming its commitment to support recovery efforts and help communities rebuild with strength and compassion.

JHTA president Christopher Jarrett, in a statement, extended heartfelt sympathy to all Jamaicans who have been affected by the most powerful hurricane in local history.

“Our hearts go out to every family who has lost their home, every farmer whose fields have been destroyed, and every community still waiting for relief and restoration. Yet even in this time of hardship, we are reminded of the extraordinary spirit of the Jamaican people — strong, compassionate, and unbreakable,” he added.

Close collaboration with JHTA member hotels, attractions, tour operators, the government, and community partners to aid recovery and support national relief efforts continues, the association disclosed.

Many hotels have opened their kitchens to prepare meals for displaced families, provided temporary accommodation for those in need, and deployed staff and equipment to assist in clean-up and restoration across the hardest-hit parishes.

Still, some communities remain in desperate need of attention, supplies, and aid, particularly those that remain isolated or have suffered extensive infrastructure loss. The JHTA emphasised that sustained recovery will require ongoing support, coordination, and compassion across all sectors of society.

In the eyes of the JHTA, the reopening of the Sangster and Norman Manley International airports marks a vital step forward in national recovery, allowing for the arrival of aid shipments, returning residents, and visitors.

“We are deeply grateful to the teams working tirelessly to restore connectivity and reopen Jamaica to the world,” Jarrett added. “Every effort is being made to accommodate arrivals and ensure the free flow of movement for tourists, loved ones returning home, and those delivering aid to affected areas.”

Hotels across the island are also making steady progress toward full recovery. Repairs are advancing quickly, and many properties are reopening or preparing to do so in the coming weeks. The JHTA remains confident that Jamaica will be ready to welcome winter holidaymakers by December 15, the start of the island’s peak tourism season.

“Our members are working around the clock to restore facilities and services,” Jarrett said. “Some are offering reduced rates or complimentary stays as a gesture of gratitude and resilience. Jamaica is rebuilding — not just our hotels and attractions, but the very spirit that makes this country so special. We will be ready to welcome visitors, and we will do so with the same warmth and authenticity that define who we are.”

Tourism supports nearly 175,000 Jamaican jobs and contributes almost 30 per cent of the national GDP when indirect activity is included. The JHTA argued that the recovery of the tourism sector remains “crucial, not just for the economy, but for the well-being and stability of families across the island”.

“The road to full recovery will take time, but it is not beyond us,” Jarrett noted. “Only a collective effort — from the government, private sector, the diaspora, and every caring Jamaican — can bring the support and resources needed to rebuild stronger than before.”