Jamaica Asking Visitors to Return as Island Reopens Following Hurricane Melissa

Visitors are crucial to local communities as they recover following October’s Hurricane Melissa, the strongest ever recorded storm to hit the country, with devastating results. The focus now is rebuilding Jamaica’s tourism-based economy and getting people back to work. 

That’s where we come in. 

Jamaica is back open for business this winter. So you can plan a tropical, Caribbean escape to the island just when you need it most - and Jamaica needs us most.  

Maybe even give the gift of travel this holiday season, with double the happiness quotient: for your loved ones, and for the people of Jamaica.

In early December 2025, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism provided an update on the country’s recovery: 

• Jamaica’s 3 international airports have returned to over 85% of pre-Melissa capacity, ready for the winter season.
• And 70% of Jamaica’s hotel rooms will be back in operation by January, after intensive repairs and renovations. 

Sandals Resorts International, founded in Jamaica, and one of the biggest resort companies in the country, released its own update, with good news for fans of Sandals’ and Beaches’ all-inclusive resort experiences for couples and families.

In a major step forward for Jamaica’s recovery, Sandals reopened five of its Jamaica properties on December 6, 2025.

• Sandals Dunn's River,
• Sandals Royal Plantation,
• Sandals Ochi,
• Sandals Negril and
• Beaches Negril are all welcoming guests back to Jamaica's famed north coast.

Sandals Resorts International’s Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart, noted that not only are flights returning from around the world to Jamaica, but also that “Tours and attractions, including the iconic Dunn's River Falls, Negril's famed Seven Mile Beach and Mystic Mountain for fans of Jamaican bobsledding, are all ready and waiting for you."

To reassure travelers that they are ready for guests, the company hosted hundreds of travel advisors and industry partners at Sandals Dunn’s River in Ocho Rios, since, as Stewart says, "Seeing is believing." said Stewart. "And nothing beats the real thing, putting your toes in the sand, tasting the food, feeling the sunshine on your face. Only a genuine experience can offer confidence like that."

Family-run in Jamaica in 1981, Sandals Resorts has deep roots in its home country, where Stewart celebrated the opening of these hotels. "Our guests love this island, and when they come back, they'll feel that same magic the moment they arrive. Jamaica is ready to welcome them home."

Reports say that other Sandals properties in Jamaica, including

• Sandals Montego Bay,
• Sandals Royal Caribbean, and
• Sandals South Coast are expected to open in Spring 2026.

Sandals Foundation’s Role in Jamaican Recovery

Following Hurricane Melissa, the company’s Sandals Foundation led extensive relief efforts in Jamaica, distributing essential supplies (water, food, hygiene kits, building materials) to communities, supporting hospitals and assisting with medical evacuations, providing community aid including setting up kitchen hubs for hot meals, helping fishing communities and supporting mental health initiatives, while also undertaking long-term projects for environmental restoration (like coral reefs) and community rebuilding. 

More About Sandals and Beaches Resorts

Pioneers of the all-inclusive vacation experience in the region, Sandals has 17 beachfront all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, each reflecting the genuine vibe of its island home. From local food favorites and global flavors to butler service and signature suites, including the Caribbean's first Overwater Villas, Sandals makes it easy for guests to go all in on vacation mode. Beyond the resort gates, immersive destination experiences, like a newly piloted Island Inclusive dining program and MINI Coopers for island exploration, raise the bar on the all-inclusive vacation. 

Beaches Resorts is the Caribbean playground where families can live their best island life. With all-inclusive family resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and soon-to-come locations in Barbados and The Bahamas, Beaches offers fun-forward family all-inclusive vacations - from a dynamic selection of restaurants and vibrant food trucks to all-you-can-enjoy water sports, live shows and epic water parks. Kids discover magic with Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®, Kids Camps, and hangouts for teens, while parents enjoy peace of mind with certified nannies, engaging programming and multi-bedroom villas perfect for bringing generations together. As an Advanced Certified Autism Center (CAC) through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), Beaches staff are specially trained to understand and cater to the unique needs of neurodivergent guests, so that every member of the family finds joy, connection, and memories made to last a lifetime.

START YOUR TRIP!

Image of Sandals Dunn’s River courtesy of Sandals Resorts International

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