Jamaica’s upcoming peak tourism season is fast approaching, and authorities in the hurricane-affected country are in a race against time to reconstruct following the severe Category 5 storm that devastated the island’s western area.
Prior to Hurricane Melissa’s impact on October 28, the government had forecasted a seven percent growth in Jamaica’s tourism sector during the winter season, with expectations of accommodating around 4.3 million tourists.
Now, officials are working fervently to rehabilitate hotels and clear debris in the western part of the island to attract tourist revenue at a critical juncture.
Christopher Jarrett, head of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, mentioned that most of the destruction occurred in the northwest and southwest regions, with the popular Negril area in Westmoreland being largely unscathed.
Despite the challenges, all international airports in Jamaica have resumed operations and are receiving commercial flights. However, nearly a week post the devastating hurricane, tourism officials are still gauging the full extent of the sector’s damage, a vital component of the island’s economy.
Jarrett highlighted that communication and power outages are hindering access to many impacted hotel and attraction members, particularly in Hanover in the west.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett anticipates that Jamaica’s tourism industry will be back to normal by December 15, the commencement of the peak season. Larger hotel chains are expected to recover quicker, although the timeline may vary for others, as noted by Jarrett.
Despite the disruptions in the tourism sector, Jarrett believes the economic repercussions will be manageable. Some hotels in Kingston and Ocho Rios are benefiting from increased business due to the influx of aid workers and volunteers post the hurricane.
Jamaica’s tourism industry, a significant contributor to the economy, accounts for 30 percent of GDP directly and indirectly, employing around 175,000 individuals and driving other sectors like construction, finance, utilities, and agriculture.
The impact on the tourism sector is also affecting various service providers and suppliers, as highlighted by Patricia Mighten, a hotel housekeeper in Hanover.
The devastating Hurricane Melissa has also severely affected tens of thousands of Jamaican fishers and farmers who play a crucial role in sustaining their families and local communities.
Denver Thorpe, a farmer in Westmoreland parish, suffered substantial losses on his farm due to the hurricane, emphasizing the grim situation faced by many agricultural workers.
This setback comes shortly after the damages caused by Hurricane Beryl, which impacted a significant number of farmers and fishers, resulting in substantial economic losses.
Jamaica’s agricultural sector, with over 200,000 farmers cultivating various crops for local consumption and export, plays a vital role in the country’s economy.
The country’s coffee industry alone generates an annual income of $25 million US ($35 million Cdn), underscoring the importance of agriculture in Jamaica’s economic landscape.