The Ministry of Tourism has set an ambitious target for the sector to become fully operational by December 15, recognised as the start of the winter tourist season in Jamaica.

To this end, To deliver on that goal, the ministry has activated a high-level Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to synchronise public and private sector efforts.

“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” said Minister Bartlett.

“Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence,” he added.

Roles and responsibilities

Bartlett will serve as as chairman emeritus of the Recovery Task Force , while executive deputy chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures John Byles will chair the group.

The task force comprises a cross-section of public and private sector leaders, including Tova Hamilton, minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism; Professor Lloyd Waller, executive director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC); and Jennifer Griffith, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism. Also serving on the task force are Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI); Ian Dear, chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo); Donovan White, director of tourism; and Christopher Jarrett, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

Supporting the Recovery Task Force is the Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”), chaired by Jessica Shannon, chief experience officer at SRI. The team includes the JHTA president; Nicola Madden-Greig, former JHTA President and group director of marketing and sales at the Courtleigh Hospitality Group; Elizabeth Fox, regional director for the JTB in the United Kingdom; and Joy Roberts, executive director of Jamaica Vacations. They will be joined by a representative from Jamaica Customs; Angella Bennett, regional director for the JTB in Canada; Phillip Rose, deputy director of Tourism for the United States and the Americas; representatives from the Inverotel Group; with support from representatives from the ministry’s communications team.

The Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force will drive the operational restart of the sector—prioritising rapid assessments, product rehabilitation, and service readiness across resorts, attractions, airports/ports, and key corridors. Working through agency and private-sector leads, it will assist with the clearing of bottlenecks, sequencing repairs, and coordinate go-to-market readiness to restore safety, service quality, and visitor confidence by December 15, 2025.

The Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) will organise the giving and goodwill that accelerates recovery. It will identify, coordinate, and mobilise assistance—cash, in-kind goods, skilled volunteers, and technical expertise—from across the tourism community and, in alignment with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), route it efficiently via supportjamaica.gov.jm for transparent processing and timely delivery to workers; micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); and communities that power the visitor economy.

People and partnerships

Minister Bartlett noted that both task forces will coordinate closely with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) to integrate lessons from previous recovery efforts, including Jamaica’s record-breaking post-COVID-19 recovery, and ensure a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the sector.

“Tourism’s strength lies not just in its product offerings, but in its people and partnerships. The speed and synergy of our response show the industry’s resilience and our unwavering commitment to recovery with empathy, compassion, and innovation,” the tourism minister added.