Jamaica expects about 400,000 airline seats from Canada this winter as it rebuilds from Hurricane Melissa, with nearly 2,000 more hotel rooms due to reopen in December.
Canadian Airlift Anchors Jamaica’s Winter Tourism Recovery After Melissa
Jamaica is counting on roughly 400,000 airline seats from Canada for the coming winter season as it works to rebuild visitor confidence after Hurricane Melissa. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett shared the figure with more than 300 travel advisors and tourism partners in Toronto, The Gleaner reported on November 3.
Bartlett said the capacity shows the strength of the Canadian market, but stressed that airlines, tour operators and advisors must work together to turn seats into actual arrivals. “Melissa was able to bend us, but it could not break us,” he said, describing an industry that is “bouncing forward” rather than simply recovering.
The Category 5 storm struck on October 28, 2025, and affected an estimated 30% of the island’s tourism assets, according to figures the minister cited.
Nearly 2,000 Hotel Rooms Set to Reopen Across Jamaica in December
About 2,000 hotel rooms are scheduled to come back in December, putting roughly 90% of the island’s room stock in service for winter, according to the JHTA hoteliers’ association. Properties due back include Bahia Principe Explore Runaway Bay, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Caribbean Cay and JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar, and officials say another 3,000 to 3,500 rooms should return in the first quarter of 2027. Bartlett expects full recovery by May 2027.
Canada and the United States Supply 1.3 Million Winter Airline Seats
Canada’s share sits within a wider airlift of about 1.3 million seats, 23% above 2025 levels, with roughly 900,000 more from the US, Bartlett said in October. The peak season runs from December 15 to mid-April, and Jamaica welcomed about 2.3 million visitors between January and August. Angella Bennett, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s regional director for Canada, said Canadian advisors would be key to driving winter bookings.
Biometric Airport Processing and New Roads Aim to Smooth Visitor Arrivals
Bartlett named faster entry as a priority, pointing to digital and biometric systems that shorten airport waiting times for visitors. Planned works include better north-coast roads between Ocho Rios and Sangster International Airport, proposed aviation facilities near Little London and Vernamfield, and an airstrip in the Treasure Beach area. Upgrades are also under way at the existing international airports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Canadian airline seats does Jamaica expect this winter?
About 400,000 seats from Canada are scheduled for the 2026–27 winter tourist season.
How many hotel rooms will reopen in December?
Nearly 2,000 rooms are expected to return in December, with about 90% of room stock available for winter.
When did Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica?
The Category 5 storm struck on October 28, 2025, affecting an estimated 30% of the island’s tourism assets.
When is Jamaica’s hotel capacity expected to fully recover?
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett expects full recovery of hotel room capacity by May 2027.
How many airline seats are planned for Jamaica’s winter season?
About 1.3 million in total, including roughly 400,000 from Canada and 900,000 from the United States.
Conclusion
Jamaica heads into the 2026–27 winter season with strong airlift and a hotel stock that is largely back in business after Hurricane Melissa. Around 400,000 seats from Canada, part of roughly 1.3 million overall, give the island a solid base, while nearly 2,000 rooms are due to reopen in December. Officials are using the rebuild to modernise resorts, speed up airport processing and improve roads and airstrips. Hoteliers caution that reopening is not the same as full recovery, but for Canadian travellers planning a Caribbean escape, Jamaica is signalling clearly that it is open and ready to welcome them.
Bibliography / Sources
- Hinds, L. (2026, November 3). Nation banking on 400,000 Canadian air seats for winter [News article]. The Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20261103/nation-banking-400000-canadian-air-seats-winter
- Ferguson, A. (2026, October 12). Bartlett projects 88 per cent tourism recovery by December [News article]. The Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20261012/bartlett-projects-88-cent-tourism-recovery-december
- Jamaica Observer. (2026, October 28). Tourism bouncing back but Melissa recovery far from complete [News article]. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2026/10/28/tourism-bouncing-back-melissa-recovery-far-complete/
- Salmon, S. K. (2026, September 15). More than 11,000 hotel rooms to return to inventory [News release]. Jamaica Information Service. https://jis.gov.jm/more-than-11000-hotel-rooms-to-return-to-inventory/