Hurricane Melissa wrecked Jamaica's tourism numbers worse than anything since the pandemic lockdowns. Pacific Airport Group data shows over half a million fewer passengers flew in last year because storms kept hammering the island. Montego Bay took the biggest hit with massive drops, while Kingston barely managed a small bump.
Sangster International lost nearly twelve percent of its traffic compared to the previous cycle. That translates to almost six hundred thousand missing travelers dodging the resort city. Norman Manley Airport actually saw growth thanks to business travel, but it definitely failed to offset that massive leisure collapse.
This decline reversed gains made after Hurricane Beryl struck earlier. Things were looking up mid-year before Melissa smashed hotels and canceled tours during peak season. Montego Bay had already started slipping previously, but this latest disaster tanked arrival figures way harder than usual.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett admitted Western resorts took a serious beating. He told American media that full operational capacity won't happen until mid-year. Agencies and nonprofits are currently scrambling to distribute food and essentials to devastated areas using foreign donations.
Bartlett insisted the industry officially restarted operations recently despite the carnage. He urged tourists to return immediately as the best way to help rebuilding efforts. The government hopes steady arrivals will fix the damage faster than just sending cash alone.
Sangster International lost nearly twelve percent of its traffic compared to the previous cycle. That translates to almost six hundred thousand missing travelers dodging the resort city. Norman Manley Airport actually saw growth thanks to business travel, but it definitely failed to offset that massive leisure collapse.
This decline reversed gains made after Hurricane Beryl struck earlier. Things were looking up mid-year before Melissa smashed hotels and canceled tours during peak season. Montego Bay had already started slipping previously, but this latest disaster tanked arrival figures way harder than usual.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett admitted Western resorts took a serious beating. He told American media that full operational capacity won't happen until mid-year. Agencies and nonprofits are currently scrambling to distribute food and essentials to devastated areas using foreign donations.
Bartlett insisted the industry officially restarted operations recently despite the carnage. He urged tourists to return immediately as the best way to help rebuilding efforts. The government hopes steady arrivals will fix the damage faster than just sending cash alone.
