Jamaica Welcomes Back Royalton Negril as Resort Recovery Brings Jobs, Rooms and New Tourism Confidence

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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August 31, 2026 22:56 GMT+5:30

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The reopening of Royalton Negril on August 25 marks a major step forward in Jamaica’s tourism recovery journey after extensive restoration work following Hurricane Melissa. The resort has resumed operations with 573 rooms returning to the country’s accommodation supply, while 960 employees have returned to work, strengthening local employment and the wider hospitality sector. The recovery momentum will continue with the planned reopening of Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters on September 15. Together, the two properties will add another 578 rooms back into Jamaica’s tourism inventory and bring approximately 1,200 additional hospitality workers back into employment.

“The return of Royalton Negril strengthens the recovery of Jamaica’s vital tourism sector while restoring hundreds of livelihoods and renewing economic activity across Negril and surrounding communities. The reopening comes as hotels across the island continue to return to service, with additional properties scheduled to reopen in the months ahead and reinforces our resilience,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

Royalton Negril’s reopening marks a key step in Jamaica’s gradual tourism recovery plan, aimed at restoring accommodation capacity, supporting the return of hospitality employees and strengthening traveller confidence. As part of the recovery process, around 80,000 tourism workers across Jamaica’s hotel sector have resumed employment, while nearly 5,648 hotel rooms are expected to be brought back into operation by 2026.

“This demonstrates what is possible when the public and private sectors, tourism partners and communities work together toward recovery. It means real income and a return to the livelihoods or our most treasured asset – our people. It means visitor spending and supporting businesses and communities throughout the tourism value chain—from transportation and attractions to agriculture, entertainment and small and medium-sized enterprises,” added Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

Jamaica’s hospitality industry is steadily moving towards a full recovery, with several major resorts preparing for a phased reopening. Properties expected to resume operations later this year include Sea Garden Hotel, Zoëtry Montego Bay, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean, strengthening the island’s accommodation capacity and tourism appeal.

“These reopenings are expected to progressively restore room capacity and provide more for us to market globally. It is a significant move that will support our value proposition to attract more visitors,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.

Royalton’s recovery strategy has centred on a major restoration programme designed to prepare its properties for a strong comeback. The initiative has included improvements across key areas such as infrastructure, accommodation facilities and guest services, ensuring the resort is ready to welcome visitors with enhanced comfort, quality and experiences.

The restoration work reflects a wider effort to rebuild tourism capacity and strengthen the long-term appeal of the destination. By upgrading facilities and improving operational standards, Royalton Negril is positioning itself to meet the expectations of international travellers while supporting Jamaica’s continued tourism growth.

For the 960 employees who have returned to work, the reopening represents a meaningful milestone in the recovery process. Their return restores important employment opportunities, provides renewed income stability and allows local hospitality professionals to reconnect with guests from around the world.

The comeback of Royalton Negril also highlights the important role tourism plays in supporting communities and livelihoods across Jamaica. The return of hundreds of workers demonstrates how resort operations can create a direct impact on the wider tourism ecosystem.

As Jamaica moves forward with rebuilding its tourism sector, the reopening of Royalton Negril sends a strong message of confidence in the destination. It reflects the resilience of the island’s hospitality industry and the determination of its workforce to continue showcasing Jamaica’s world-class tourism experience.