Pictured: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, addressing the audience at the reopening of Princess Senses Resorts on Sunday February 1, 2026.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Wednesday, February 4, 2026 – Jamaica’s accommodation sector continues to rebound strongly as one of the largest hotels, Princess Resorts, has reopened 415 rooms and reinstated approximately 800 tourism workers. The move has delivered a significant boost to employment and visitor capacity within the island’s tourism industry. It also marks an important milestone in Jamaica’s tourism recovery, reflecting investor confidence and growing demand from key source markets.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the development as a tangible sign that recovery efforts are translating into real economic benefits. “The reopening of 415 rooms and the return of 800 workers at Princess Resorts represent a major step forward in Jamaica’s tourism recovery,” said Minister Bartlett. “This is about restoring livelihoods, strengthening communities, and ensuring that our tourism growth remains inclusive and sustainable.”

Other large chains that have already reopened their room stock include Sandals Resorts and RIU Hotels. Princess Resorts will fully reopen next month with 590 rooms and a 1005 staff complement.

Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White, emphasized the significance of the reopening in meeting rising travel demand and reinforcing the island’s competitiveness. “We are seeing strong and sustained interest in Jamaica across our major markets, and the return of this room inventory is both timely and strategic,” said White. “This underscores the confidence global hotel partners have in Jamaica as a resilient and high-performing destination.”

More rooms enhance Jamaica’s ability to accommodate increased visitor arrivals, while the return of workers strengthens service delivery across the sector, which remains one of the country’s largest employers.

While speaking at the reopening on Sunday February 1, 2026, Enrico Pezzoli, Managing Director Princess Hotels and Resorts Jamaica, said, “The past period invited reflection and growth. It challenged us to look closely at who we are and how we serve, and it encouraged us to return stronger, more focused, and more intentional in everything we do. I am deeply proud of our team for their professionalism, adaptability, and continued belief in this vision.”

The reopening also signals broader momentum within the accommodation sector, as properties islandwide continue to resume full operations in line with improving airlift, booking trends, and traveller confidence.

“We are seeing stronger efforts by all our hotel partners who are working to get back on stream ahead of their original timelines. This is a testament to our commitment to a full reopening to build resilience and ensure the sector’s growth delivers long-term economic benefits for the Jamaican people,” added Minister Bartlett.

For more information on recovery updates go to https://www.visitjamaica.com/travel-alerts/

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination — Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board — Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination — Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination — Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination — Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/