Jamaica Tourism After Hurricane Melissa: A Turning Point?

Six weeks after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa hit western and southern #Jamaica# the government declared tourism “open” as of December 15. But on the ground, recovery looks very different. In Episode 1 of Tourism in Motion, I return to Jamaica to look beyond arrival numbers and official statements—and ask what tourism Hurricane Melissa reveals about the state of tourism in Jamaica, and its future. Traveling from Negril to Treasure Beach, Ocho Rios, and Kingston, I speak with the people who live inside Jamaica’s tourism economy every day: small hotel owners, craft vendors, cultural practitioners, housekeepers, and an anonymous all-inclusive resort worker whose identity is protected. Their stories reveal a deeper reality: while tourism may be restarting on paper, the industry is increasingly shaped by a model that prioritizes scale, branding, and controlled experiences over local ownership and participation. These questions aren’t new. Over the past year, Jamaica has been grappling with debates around beach access, resort development, and who truly benefits from tourism growth—issues I also examine in my recent BBC Travel reporting on Jamaica’s public beaches and access rights. (https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260107-the-caribbean-island-where-locals-cant-access-the-beach). Seen together, these stories point to a larger pattern across the Caribbean: as tourism rebounds after climate shocks, large international brands continue to expand, often operating in insulated bubbles—while locally owned businesses and tourism workers face a far more fragile path forward. . 🎥 Tourism in Motion is my new series examining tourism, power, and place—through the people most affected by it. . This reporting was made possible through a combination of independent client work and support from this channel's views. If you value journalism that centers local voices and looks honestly at tourism’s impacts, your support helps sustain this work. Thank you. _____ HOW TO SUPPORT To support future installments of Tourism in Motion, you can: Donate to my Creator page on Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/tourismlenswithlily Join my channel as a Tourism Lens Insider or VIP member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVYnVTQ1pTNz6FUmjGtiHiA/join Thanks in advance for championing independent travel journalism. ____ And big gratitude to all my Jamaican sources on and off camera, including: Charela Inn, Negril https://www.charelainn.com Rondel Village, Negril http://rondelvillage.com Calbert Brooks & the All Star Drummers, Negril https://www.instagram.com/calbertandtheallstardrummers (Drum circle every Wednesday at Wavz Negril on the beach; tip what you can; also look out for performances at various bars and venues in Negril) Nathalie Thomas, Amelia's Villa & My Irie Escape team http://myirieescape.com/ Christopher, vendor at Ocho Rios Craft Market (first shop on the left after you enter market gates) Gregory Transport & Tours, Negril . 🎥 Tourism in Motion is an ongoing series examining tourism, power, and place—through the people most affected by it. . New? Hi 👋🏽 I'm Lily - Award-winning travel journalist, writing and content strategist based in the US helping you plan your trips consciously through cultural immersion, honest insights on travel/tourism, and responsible storytelling. https://www.tourismlens.com . Remember to Subscribe, share, and leave a comment - Who surprised you the most in this episode? 🌎