Minister Bartlett Targets Full Tourism Restart by December 15, 2025

• In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett set a firm target for Jamaica’s tourism industry to be fully back in operation by December 15, 2025. To achieve this, the Ministry has activated a Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee (“Tourism Cares”) to synchronise public and private sector action.
• Minister Bartlett stated that recovery cannot be left to chance, emphasising that marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics and all enabling support will be aligned behind one objective, full industry operation by December 15. Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates for transparency and planning confidence.
• The Recovery Task Force is chaired by John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, with Minister Bartlett serving as Chairman Emeritus. Members include Hon. Tova Hamilton, Professor Lloyd Waller, Jennifer Griffith, Adam Stewart, Ian Dear, Donovan White, Jessica Shannon, Christopher Jarrett, Wayne Cummings, Wade Mars, Dr. Carey Wallace, Tanikie McClarthy Allen and Fiona Fennell.
• The Task Force will lead the sector’s operational restart, focusing on rapid assessments, product rehabilitation, and service readiness across resorts, attractions, airports, and ports, while “Tourism Cares” will organize and route financial and in-kind assistance through supportjamaica.gov.jm to workers, MSMEs, and communities. Both committees will coordinate with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) to integrate lessons from Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 recovery, reinforcing the industry’s resilience and commitment to recovery through empathy, compassion, and innovation.

(Source: JIS)