One of Jamaica’s most prominent all-inclusive resorts has thrown open its doors again, bringing welcome relief to hundreds of workers nearly six months after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island.
Bahia Principe Runaway Bay officially resumed operations this week, with its managing director Jonay Guerra acknowledging the immense effort it took to get there. Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Guerra said that anyone who had walked the property in the storm’s immediate aftermath would have witnessed widespread destruction — but also an equally powerful determination to rebuild.
For Guerra, the milestone goes beyond business. He described Jamaica not simply as a market, but as a long-standing partner, and reaffirmed the resort’s commitment to supporting local livelihoods and sustainable development within the tourism sector.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was equally effusive, highlighting that the return of the 664-room property to Jamaica’s accommodation stock translates directly into economic opportunity — for workers, families, and surrounding communities. Bartlett noted that the resort’s owners moved quickly to restore operations rather than proceed with a slower refurbishment plan, calling it a demonstration of genuine commitment to Jamaica’s recovery.
With 800 staff members back on the job, Bartlett framed the reopening as exactly the kind of public-private partnership the country needs in the post-hurricane recovery period.
Director of Tourism Donovan White added that the reopening reflects growing momentum across the destination, pointing to strong visitor interest from Jamaica’s key markets. He said the island is ready to welcome the world back with the hospitality it’s known for.
The Category 5 storm struck Jamaica last October, causing widespread damage across the tourism sector. The Runaway Bay reopening is being seen as a significant signal that the industry’s recovery is well underway.
