Cruise Traffic Restarts in Jamaica With 32,000 Visitors Since Melissa
Jamaica has recorded roughly 32,000 cruise passengers since Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28, marking a steady return of activity to the sector.
By the close of November, Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett expects the island to log approximately 64,000 cruise arrivals during the ongoing recovery phase.
On Monday, Montego Bay signalled its readiness for a gradual restart of tourism operations by hosting the homeporting of TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1, which brought 2,894 travellers to the island.
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Minister Bartlett pointed out that this vessel is the first cruise ship to call at Montego Bay after the hurricane, confirming that cruise tourism in the area is showing strong signs of revival.
According to him, renewed cruise activity will support the country’s wider economic rebound and provide important opportunities for tourism workers.
Commending the national response effort, Ian Dear, Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and member of the Tourism Recovery Task Force, praised both public and private partners for their collaboration in restoring the island’s flagship resort city.
Working under the task force’s directive to coordinate the reopening and recovery of the sector, Dear reported that cleanup teams have been deployed throughout tourism zones.
He also noted that, in partnership with the St. James Municipal Corporation, a major cleanup operation was carried out ahead of the arrival of the first post-hurricane cruise vessel.
Extending support to the city’s rehabilitation efforts, the Mein Schiff 1 additionally supplied 12 pallets of relief goods, including bottled water, food items and educational supplies for children.
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