JTB Provides Jamaica Recovery Update; Sunwing Offers 'Verified' Hotel Program

TravelPulse Canada sat down with Angella Bennett, Regional Director of Canada for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and Eric Rodriguez, Executive Vice-President of Partner Development for Sunwing Vacations Group, to discuss how the island is rebounding from Hurricane Melissa — and why both organizations say now is the moment for Canadian advisors to lean in.

Bennett says Jamaica’s recovery has been swift but not simple. “Our tourism sector is resilient, but Melissa tested us,” she told TravelPulse Canada. “What we saw afterward was a coordinated, community-driven response."

 

According to Bennett, the island’s infrastructure and major resort areas have returned to normal operations, with only isolated pockets still undergoing repairs. She emphasized that demand from Canada remains strong: “Canadians have always shown up for Jamaica."

Rodriguez echoed that sentiment, noting Sunwing has been working closely with the JTB to ensure advisors have clear, accurate information as the winter booking season ramps up.

 

Both leaders say the story going into 2026 is not about disruption — it’s about momentum. As recovery efforts continue behind the scenes, both Bennett and Rodriguez say the message is clear: Jamaica is open, stable, and ready — and Canadian advisors play a pivotal role in keeping the island’s momentum strong.

Supporting Travel & Local Staff

In the aftermath of Melissa, Rodriguez said the company’s first priority was to repatriate Canadians safely. But just as critical, he added, was supporting Jamaicans working on the front lines.

“Here they are having suffered and maybe lost their homes or lost a loved one, but we were relying on them heavily to be able to attend to our guests,” Rodriguez said. “We really, really felt for all the staff at the hotels and in particular the ground component companies.”

Sunwing, long partnered with GlobalMedic, offered cargo space for relief supplies and hosted a packing party to assemble emergency kits for local communities. The company is also providing direct support to its hotel and ground operators, including Nexus Tours, which supplies customer service representatives across the island.

Verified Properties

To address conflicting media reports and reassure advisors, Sunwing has created a new “Verified List” of hotels personally inspected by Sunwing staff and Nexus Tours teams.

“We verify that the hotels are running—they’re what you paid and what you booked,” Rodriguez said. 

“Everything that you see in the brochure or on the website is what you’re getting, and you can book with confidence.”

Travel advisors can check the Sunwing Travel Agent Portal for the full list of verified hotels.

RELATED: All RIU Jamaica Resorts Set to Reopen by Year’s End

Hotels on the verified list have undergone checklists confirming power, water, room readiness and all core guest facilities. Rodriguez noted that Riu Hotels & Resorts was among the first chains fully back online, calling their recovery pace “fantastic.”

Current photo of Riu Ocho Rios, Jamaica (Photo Credit: Sunwing)

Jamaica: ‘We Are Talawa’

Bennett emphasized that Jamaica has long planned for weather-related crises, operating a formal Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TIOC) established under Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

“In the face of a devastating hurricane like this, we’re able to communicate using a higher level of connection in the clouds,” Bennett said. “Every visitor was supported, and every Canadian was safely repatriated.”

She credited hotel workers as the “true heroes” of the crisis.

“Staff stayed to serve guests even when they did not know what the condition of their own homes or families were,” she said. “Their commitment speaks to the spirit of the Jamaican people.”

RELATED: Sandals Exec Shares Update on Jamaica, Resorts Following Devastating Hurricane

JTB is hosting a benefit concert in Ontario on December 10, called Harmonies of Hope. Bennett said the event will “bring together Canadian artists with Jamaican roots to celebrate the resilience of our people, while raising funds for critical community support, including roofing, food aid, and essential supplies for tourism communities.”

She added that the island’s recovery is guided by the enduring spirit of its people. “The spirit of the Jamaican people is what we call Talawa,” Bennett said. “It means strength, resilience, and fearlessness—and it’s what ensures we rise again, no matter the challenge.”

Reopening Status: Electricity, Roads and Room Inventory

According to the JTB:

• Power and water have been fully restored across major resort zones including Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
• Telecommunications and road networks between Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston are operational.
• Approximately 6,000 of Jamaica’s 35,000 rooms are currently out of service, while the vast majority of resort-area hotels are open or reopening rapidly.

Bennett stressed that geography matters: “Not all of Jamaica is damaged. Our central areas—Kingston, Port Antonio, parts of Ocho Rios—were least affected.”

The country expects 60% of its product fully ready by December 15, the start of the winter season, with 70–80% restored by late spring.

Central areas—Kingston, Port Antonio, parts of Ocho Rios—were least affected. (Photo Credit: Sunwing)

Incentives and Financial Support

Sunwing announced a new fundraising commitment tied to upcoming bookings.

“We’re donating $100 per booking made from December 1–14 to GlobalMedic for Jamaica,” said Rodriguez . 

“Nexus Tours will donate $40 per excursion booked in Jamaica as well.”

Sunwing and WestJet will also donate proceeds from their combined company holiday parties to GlobalMedic. Sunwing’s U.S. sister company Vacation Express has raised an additional US$30,000 for relief initiatives.

Prices Are Down—But Product Is Sound

Rodriguez said advisors should expect strong pricing for winter, driven not by damage but by partner support.

RELATED: Jamaica Tourist Board Hosting Benefit Concert for Island’s Recovery

“Sometimes people think lowering prices means the product is damaged. It’s not the case,” he said. “What’s verified is verified. Everything is up and running—and now, travellers who maybe couldn’t afford Jamaica before have an opportunity.”

A Call to Canadians

Canada is Jamaica’s second-largest source market, with nearly 500,000 Canadian visitors last year. Bennett stressed that Canadians can directly fuel the country’s recovery.

“The best way Canada can support Jamaica is booking a trip back—especially with a trusted partner like Sunwing,” Bennett said. “Jamaica will deliver an unforgettable vacation, like no other.”

Rodriguez echoed that optimism, noting that 2025 may bring an even stronger product as hotels rebuild and upgrade simultaneously.

“Out of a horrible situation, Jamaica will be even more prepared,” he said. “I’m excited for next winter and the refreshed product we expect to see.”

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