JAMAICA – The Jamaican government has successfully executed one of the most rapid large-scale tourist evacuations in Caribbean history, safely repatriating 25,000 visitors within just seven days following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett revealed the extraordinary achievement during a December 13th tourism partners’ meeting at Iberostar Hotel in St James, highlighting the operation as a testament to the island nation’s crisis management capabilities.
The meticulously coordinated effort involved seamless collaboration between hotel operators, transportation providers, airport staff, and security personnel, working in concert to ensure stranded tourists were efficiently returned to their home countries. Minister Bartlett emphasized that this unprecedented response delivered a powerful message to the international community regarding Jamaica’s preparedness and operational competence during emergencies.
Within merely 24 hours after the hurricane’s passage, the tourism ministry established a specialized Recovery Task Force chaired by John Byles, bringing together both public and private sector stakeholders. This coalition included senior ministry officials, tourism agencies, Jamaica Tourist Board leadership, Tourism Enhancement Fund representatives, Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), and the Port Authority of Jamaica, all unified under the singular objective of accelerating the tourism sector’s recovery above all other industries.
Minister Bartlett underscored tourism’s critical role as the backbone of Jamaica’s economy, noting its unique capacity for immediate economic impact through what he termed ‘immediate convertibility’ – the direct flow of tourism earnings into local communities the moment transportation vessels arrive. This characteristic, he explained, positions tourism as the primary driver of national economic recovery following crises through its extensive network of interconnected industries and business models.
The minister further acknowledged utility providers Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and National Water Commission (NWC) for their exceptional efforts in restoring full electricity and water services to all major tourism destinations including Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, and Kingston, enabling the sector’s swift reactivation.