Hotel Reopenings, New Flights and Cruise Growth Signal a Strong Tourism Recovery in JAPEX 2026

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Jamaica is moving into a new chapter of tourism recovery, with hotels returning to service, airlines expanding connectivity and cruise traffic continuing to build across the island. The latest developments were highlighted during Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2026 in Ocho Rios, where tourism officials presented an industry that is rebuilding capacity while preparing for another busy period of international travel.

JAPEX 2026, held from September 14 to 17 at Moon Palace Jamaica, brought together international buyers, tourism suppliers and travel professionals under the theme “Jamaica Reimagined.” The event was particularly significant because the island continues its recovery following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

Hotel availability is steadily returning

For travelers, perhaps the most important part of Jamaica’s recovery is the return of hotel rooms.

Jamaican tourism officials said around 80% of the country’s hotel inventory is now operational, with the remaining properties expected to return progressively, largely by early 2027. The government had previously expected nearly 80% of hotel room stock to be operating around the time of JAPEX.

The reopening process, however, is not happening at the same pace everywhere. Jamaica’s official hotel reopening tracker shows several properties already welcoming guests, while others have reopening dates stretching into late 2026 and 2027.

Among the properties scheduled to return are Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean, both listed for December 18, 2026. Several major Montego Bay properties, including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Jewel Grande and Secrets resorts, are scheduled to reopen during 2027.

For holidaymakers, this means checking the current status of an individual hotel remains important when planning a Jamaica vacation.

More hotel capacity could reshape winter travel

The return of thousands of rooms should gradually give travelers more accommodation choices, particularly during the high-demand winter season.

Jamaica also has a much larger hotel development pipeline beyond the immediate recovery. The country’s tourism authorities have identified approximately 15,000 to 20,000 additional rooms expected over the next five to 10 years.

That expansion could eventually give visitors a broader range of choices, from large all-inclusive resorts to luxury and boutique accommodation, while supporting Jamaica’s long-term effort to increase tourism capacity.

Airlines are responding to continued demand

Air connectivity is another major part of Jamaica’s tourism recovery.

According to Jamaica’s tourism authorities, just under 1.9 million airline seats were available to the country between January and August 2026. Although that represented a 22% decline from the same period in 2025, flights recorded an average load factor of 85%, with the load factor increasing by 3.8 percentage points.

The figures indicate that airlines continue to see demand for Jamaica even while overall capacity remains below the previous year’s level.

New and expanded services are also improving access from important source markets.

Breeze Airways is expected to operate twice-weekly service between Tampa and Jamaica later in 2026. Canada’s Porter Airlines is adding nearly 5,000 winter seats from Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton, while Air Canada is serving Jamaica from Halifax, Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

Jamaica is also strengthening international connections beyond North America. Virgin Atlantic is expected to operate seven weekly Heathrow flights, while British Airways is scheduled for four weekly services from Gatwick. Copa Airlines is increasing service from Panama, while Wingo is adding year-round connectivity from Bogotá and Medellín.

Cruise tourism provides another route into Jamaica

Cruise travel is also playing a major role in the destination’s recovery.

Jamaica recorded more than 736,000 cruise passengers and 234 cruise calls during the first seven months of 2026. Falmouth, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay accounted for the majority of those calls.

The cruise sector is expected to remain an important source of visitor activity as Jamaica works to expand experiences beyond traditional resort stays.

Disney Destiny is scheduled to make its first visit to Falmouth on October 13, 2026, adding another major cruise brand to the island’s tourism landscape.

Ocho Rios takes center stage

Holding JAPEX in Ocho Rios also puts attention on one of Jamaica’s most established tourism regions.

The north-coast destination combines hotels, beaches, restaurants, cruise facilities and attractions, giving international travel buyers an opportunity to experience Jamaica beyond promotional presentations.

The event also included travel-industry meetings and destination visits across several parts of the island, including Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril and the South Coast.

Jamaica looks beyond simply restoring visitor numbers

The recovery strategy presented at JAPEX is not limited to reopening hotels and restoring flights.

Tourism officials are promoting what they describe as “Tourism 3.0,” a broader approach focused on digital transformation, stronger local supply chains and greater geographic diversification.

The objective is to connect visitor spending with more Jamaican businesses, including farmers, transportation providers, artisans, entertainers and smaller tourism enterprises.

For travelers, that could eventually mean a Jamaica itinerary built around more than a resort. Cultural experiences, food, adventure, community tourism and excursions are increasingly being incorporated into the destination’s broader tourism proposition.

A more connected Jamaica takes shape

Jamaica’s tourism recovery is therefore taking place on several fronts at once. Hotels are returning, airlines are rebuilding and expanding routes, and cruise operators continue bringing visitors through the island’s ports.

For someone planning a Jamaica trip in late 2026 or 2027, the biggest practical takeaway is that availability is improving, but individual hotel reopening schedules still matter.

The picture emerging from JAPEX 2026 is ultimately one of a destination moving beyond recovery. Jamaica is reopening its doors while simultaneously trying to create a tourism model that offers travelers more ways to experience the island and gives more local communities a stake in the industry’s future.