Jamaica tourism recovery advances with Royalton Negril reopening

The reopening of Royalton Negril on August 25 marks a significant step in Jamaica’s tourism recovery following restoration efforts after Hurricane Melissa. The resort's return to operation has restored 573 rooms to the sector's inventory and brought 960 workers back to employment.

Further expansion of the recovery is scheduled for September 15, when Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters are set to reopen. These properties will add another 578 rooms and approximately 1,200 staff members to the workforce.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett noted that the return of these properties strengthens the vital tourism sector and supports the broader economic value chain, including transportation, agriculture, and local small businesses. To date, approximately 80,000 hotel workers in Jamaica have returned to work, with a goal of returning 5,648 rooms to inventory through 2026. Other properties, including Sea Garden Hotel, Zoetry Montego Bay, and various Sandals resorts, are also scheduled to reopen in the coming months.