Hyatt Hotels has confirmed that eight of its partner resorts in Jamaica will remain closed until January 31, 2026, after suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa. The temporary shutdown affects some of the country’s most popular Montego Bay properties, including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Dreams Rose Hall, Secrets St. James, Secrets Wild Orchid, Breathless Montego Bay, Jewel Grande, and Zoëtry. The company says its focus right now is on safety, assessing structural damage and supporting staff and guests as the island begins what will be a long recovery. All cancellation fees have been waived, and prepaid guests will receive refunds within ten business days.
The closures add to the islandwide disruption already facing Jamaica’s tourism and service sectors. Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction across hotels, supermarkets, hospitals and small businesses, crippling essential services in several parishes. Recovery teams are still evaluating the full extent of the damage, but early signs show the impact will be deep and long-lasting.
For everyday Jamaicans and their money, the effects will show up quickly. With eight major resorts offline during the winter season, there will be fewer tourism jobs available and reduced income for many families who depend on hotel work, contract services, transportation, entertainment and small-scale tourism businesses. Communities around Montego Bay will feel the slowdown most sharply. Reduced visitor arrivals also mean fewer dollars circulating in the economy, which can weaken spending power in nearby shops and markets.
Households should prepare for tighter budgets as work hours shrink and earnings decline in the short term. Those in tourism-dependent jobs may need to explore temporary alternatives while the sector rebuilds. The closures may also push some prices higher in surrounding communities as businesses face reduced sales and higher operating costs after the storm. For anyone relying on tourism for income—directly or indirectly—this period will require careful money management and planning until operations resume in 2026.