Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful cyclones in Jamaica’s history, has left a trail of devastation, severely crippling the island nation’s tourism sector. Hotels and airports have been forced to shut down, and thousands of tourists have been displaced, creating an unprecedented crisis for the industry. In the wake of this disaster, major tour operators have swiftly shifted their focus to alternative Caribbean destinations, with the Dominican Republic emerging as the primary beneficiary of this sudden tourist influx. According to sources connected to Punta Cana Airport, leading operators like TUI have already redirected flights to the Dominican Republic’s largest tourist hub. Other destinations, including Puerto Plata and Samaná, are also expected to gain from the surge in demand, as Punta Cana alone may struggle to accommodate the increased traffic. North American airlines are actively rescheduling flights to Jamaican destinations, as well as to Latin America and Europe, with the Dominican Republic witnessing the highest demand. However, the timing of this influx poses a significant challenge, as it coincides with the peak of the high season. The Dominican Republic, already experiencing record-breaking tourist arrivals, is projected to surpass 11.5 million visitors by 2025. This raises questions about hotel availability and infrastructure capacity. Meanwhile, Jamaica faces a long and arduous road to recovery, as the extensive damage to its tourist infrastructure will likely divert a substantial portion of its tourism market to the Dominican Republic for the foreseeable future.
Melissa’s disaster in Jamaica brings a flood of tourists to the Dominican Republic
