The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has left Jamaica’s tourism industry in shambles, with cancelled trips, shuttered attractions, and tour guides forced to sit idle. The Category 5 hurricane, which made landfall on Jamaica’s south-western coast, caused widespread destruction across western and north-western parishes, severely impacting the island’s tourism sector. O’Brien Sterling, operator of O’Brien and Sons Ja Tours in Montego Bay, is among the many guides whose livelihoods have been disrupted. Sterling, who connects visitors with Jamaica’s culture, history, and natural beauty, has seen his main source of income wiped out. ‘Everything just get stuck right now because I do tours, but now nothing nah gwaan. Tourism, for now, to how me see it, it on a pause,’ he lamented. Sterling had 12 visitors booked for November, but all cancelled due to the storm. He believes the industry will take time to recover, and tourists would not enjoy their visits given the current state of the island. Sterling, who also runs a car wash business, highlighted the struggles of his peers who rely solely on tourism. Delroy Dove, caretaker of Johns Hall Adventure Tours, faced personal devastation as his home and business were destroyed. ‘Right now, everything on pause because the place mash down,’ Dove said, pointing to the ruins of his property. Despite his injuries and the near-death experience of being trapped in his collapsing home, Dove remains hopeful for the sector’s recovery. ‘To them [tourists] Jamaica is a blessed country, so they will want to come look and give a little help,’ he said. The storm’s impact has been devastating not only for businesses but also for the people who depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Devral, another caretaker, expressed the dire situation: ‘If this never happened, we would have had tours going on.’ The road to recovery for Jamaica’s tourism industry remains uncertain, with guides and attractions grappling with the extensive damage left by Hurricane Melissa.