The Regional Tourism Shift After Hurricane Melissa
The Caribbean tourism landscape is shifting rapidly in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, and Jamaica’s temporary slowdown is creating opportunities for others. The Dominican Republic (DR) has moved decisively to capture visitors who were originally headed to Jamaica and other impacted islands.
Tourism officials in the DR have already approved 800 additional flights—a mix of scheduled and charter services—to absorb the sharp increase in redirected travellers. According to Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the Association of Hotels and Tourism in the DR, the country’s hotel sector has the capacity to comfortably handle the surge.
With the holiday season approaching, the DR is projecting hotel occupancy above 95%, signalling how aggressively they are taking advantage of this window.
The message from Héctor Porcella, President of the Civil Aviation Board, was blunt:
“All that tourism that was going to Jamaica—the Dominican Republic will benefit.”
Jamaica’s Tourism Sector: Damage, Delays & the Rebuild Timeline
Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage across Jamaica’s tourism belt, affecting:
- Major resort properties
- Coastal attractions
- Infrastructure in high-demand tourism corridors
Some properties remain closed for repairs, while others are still conducting assessments and cleanup.
Based on industry chatter and early restoration timelines, many hotels are projecting full reopening in early 2026. Large resorts and all-inclusive brands—especially those on the north and west coasts—are in the middle of phased recovery programmes.
This means Jamaica has roughly:
A 4–6 month strategic window
to stabilise, rebuild, and re-enter the regional tourism competition before 2026’s peak travel demand kicks in again.
What This Means for Jamaica: A Critical Moment to Reposition
The Dominican Republic’s speed shows that the Caribbean tourism market does not pause when one island is down. As Jamaica rebuilds, three major realities stand out:
1. Jamaica must accelerate recovery messaging.
Visitors need clarity on which resorts are open, which are reopening soon, and what experiences are available right now.
2. Early 2026 is now the make-or-break rebound period.
If Jamaica does not re-enter the market aggressively by Q1–Q2 2026, competitors will lock in new visitor loyalty.
3. There is still a strong advantage Jamaica can reclaim.
Jamaica remains one of the Caribbean’s strongest cultural, culinary, and experience-driven destinations. Once infrastructure is restored, the demand will return quickly—provided communication and marketing remain strong.
The Road Ahead
While the Dominican Republic is enjoying a tourism surge, Jamaica’s recovery is steady and determined. The industry is rebuilding, communities are getting electricity and infrastructure back online, and hotels are working around the clock to welcome guests again.
The next few months will determine how quickly Jamaica can reclaim its market share.
And with many major hotels expected to reopen in early 2026, the island still has a strong opportunity to rebound—if it continues to move decisively.
Disclaimer
This report is prepared independently by Jamaica Homes. The views, analysis, and interpretations presented here reflect the perspective of Jamaica Homes and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), ODPEM, or any other public or private agency mentioned. All information is based on publicly available reports as of November 2025 and may be subject to change as recovery efforts continue.