Surge in Tourism After Regional Devastation
The Dominican Republic has approved 800 additional flights to accommodate tourists who were originally planning trips to Jamaica and other Caribbean islands before Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction.
Officials announced that the increase includes both regular and charter flights, arriving as the country enters its peak tourism season.
Impact on Dominican Tourism and Hotel Capacity
Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the Association of Hotels and Tourism, said the measure will bring a substantial boost to the tourism sector.
- Dominican hotels have the capacity to absorb the influx
- Additional flights will occur over an eight-month period
- Holiday season occupancy is expected to exceed 95%
Héctor Porcella, president of the Civil Aviation Board, emphasized that the Dominican Republic is now benefiting from tourism originally destined for Jamaica before the Category 5 storm struck.
Hurricane Melissa’s Toll on the Region
Hurricane Melissa caused major damage across parts of the northern Caribbean, especially in:
- Jamaica
- The Bahamas
- Cuba
- Haiti
The Dominican Republic expressed sympathy for the losses while acknowledging the economic impact on local tourism.
Rising Tourist Arrivals in the Dominican Republic
The number of tourists visiting the Dominican Republic continues to climb:
- October arrivals: more than 672,000 visitors
- September arrivals: more than 575,600 visitors
- January–October total: over 8 million visitors
Hotel occupancy also increased from 58% in September to 63% in October, according to the Dominican Central Bank.
Tourism remains a cornerstone of the national economy, generating nearly $11 billion last year.
Jamaica Faces a Long Road to Recovery
While the Dominican Republic sees a surge in tourism, Jamaica continues to struggle with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett reported:
- Numerous flight cancellations
- Major hotels not expected to fully reopen until mid- or late 2026
- Roughly 60% of hotel rooms expected to be available by mid-December
Despite setbacks, Jamaica has already welcomed 32,000 cruise passengers, with the number expected to double next week.
Ongoing Infrastructure and Public Health Challenges
Jamaica continues repairing essential services:
- 76% of the power grid is operational
- 82% of customers currently have water service
The storm caused:
- 45 confirmed deaths
- 16 people still missing
- 11 deaths linked to suspected or confirmed leptospirosis
- 91 suspected cases overall
In neighboring Haiti, Melissa caused at least 43 deaths, with severe flooding reported in the southwest region.
