Sandals Resorts International has confirmed that all guests and staff in resorts in Jamaica were unharmed by Hurricane Melissa, which left a trail of destruction across the island, killing at least four people.
Montego Bay airport, Sangster International, remains closed due to extensive damage sustained during the worst Caribbean storm in living memory, although Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport is due to reopen to passenger flights at 7am local time today.
As reported by Travel Gossip yesterday, TUI has cancelled all holidays to Jamaica up to and including 2 November. It is understood to be sending flights to Jamaica to pick up passengers stranded in the storm.
In a message, Sandals said it had begun ‘comprehensive assessments’ of all its resorts on the island following the passing of Melissa.
“We remain committed to keeping our guests, partners, and stakeholders informed and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” said a spokesperson.
The resort operator, which was founded in Jamaica, has seven resorts across the island and a Beaches property in Negril.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the guests who joined our teams in careful preparation and followed every protocol in Jamaica,” added the spokesperson. “Your cooperation, compassion, and sense of community lifted spirits and brought comfort during a challenging time.
“We also express deep appreciation to our team members across Jamaica for their extraordinary commitment and care as they balanced their responsibilities to guests while their own families and communities were affected by the storm.
“And to those who shared well-wishes from around the world – from past guests, travel agents, partners, and friends – your encouragement and support mean more than words can express.”
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness described Jamaica as a ‘disaster area’ yesterday, with roofs blown off buildings, three-quarters of the country left without power and one half of Montego Bay cut off from the other by floodwater.
Sandals added that it is ‘committed to providing all possible support’ to guests whose travel plans have been disrupted.
“If you have clients due to travel imminently to Jamaica with Unique Caribbean Holidays , the UK in-house tour operator for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, you will be contacted by the operations team shortly,” it said.
“If you have any queries in the meantime, please email [email protected]. If your clients have bookings to Sandals or Beaches Resorts in Jamaica which have been made through another tour operator, you must contact them directly to discuss the booking.”
The Sandals Foundation has initiated proactive relief efforts across the island. Those who wish to contribute may visit www.sandalsfoundation.org to join the mission.
