Jamaica's holiday industry picking up the pieces after Hurricane Sandy

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the Jamaica holiday industry is said to be quickly up the pieces in an effort to resume normal business activities. The hurricane proved to be less destructive than initially expected with the no major damage reported at any of the all inclusive Jamaica hotels at popular destinations like Montego Bay. All major highways throughout the island have been reopened; both of the isalnd's major international airports and all major sea ports have been re opened.

Following the impact of Hurricane Sandy, travellers who were previously planning to escape the winter cold and head to sunny Jamaica holidays will be pleased to learn that the island’s holiday industry is swiftly putting the pieces back together with most hotels in the island said to be resuming business as usual. Reports coming out of Jamaica suggest that the many luxury all inclusive resorts in Montego Bay and other popular tourist destinations in the island have been spared of any serious damages.

While the residents in some of Jamaica’s impoverished shanty towns with less structurally sound housing reported blown off roofs, Hurricane Sandy proved to be less dangerous than previously expected with highways throughout Jamaica reported to be reopened.

Post hurricane, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association was quick to reassure the media that there was no major damage to Jamaican resorts in Montego Bay, Ochos Rios, Negril or the South Coast. News reports have also noted that both major international airports- the Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston and Sangster International Airport (MBJ) have reopened with Jamaica flights now operating as usual.

Additionally, all ports including those at Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and the Historic Falmouth ports have been reopened. Following the hurricane warning, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise line ships all changed their itineraries avoiding a stop at the Caribbean island which resulted in a loss of over 8000 passengers. The reopening of the ports will undoubtedly be a reassuring sign for Jamaican hoteliers and those planning cruising holidays in Jamaica.

With October historically proven to be a slow month for the island’s tourism industry, many all inclusive Jamaica hotels have been working hard to reassure their guests to minimise their financial loses. Management at the Sandy Haven Resort reportedly sent out emails as early as 6 a.m. on Thursday morning stating, “The western end of the island was quite calm, although precautions were put in place. All is back to normal and operations have been resumed”.

Other hoteliers are putting steps in place to accommodate those passengers whose flights were cancelled; one resort owner said to the Jamaica Gleaner that he would waive the cancellation penalty to avoid losing business in the already difficult month of October.