What Jamaica Wants After Deadly Hurricane? Visit Us, Island Says.

Jamaica is urging tourists to visit despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October, which crippled the island's vital tourism industry. The category 5 storm killed at least 45 people and damaged approximately 150,000 buildings, impacting the livelihoods of over half a million Jamaicans who depend on tourism. With nearly a third of the country's economy reliant on tourism, authorities are working to reopen hotels, aiming to have 70% of the 35,000 hotel rooms ready by December 15th, the start of the winter travel season. While some hotels face significant damage and lack essential services, officials and operators are emphasizing that tourism is crucial for recovery, encouraging visitors to support the island's economy. The affected areas are currently undergoing cleanup efforts.

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