Jamaica rushes to prepare for peak tourism season following Hurricane Melissa

A resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa (Matias Delacroix/AP)

Officials in Jamaica are rushing to rebuild ahead of peak tourism season following a catastrophic hurricane that hit the island’s western region.

Before Hurricane Melissa hit on October 28, the government expected Jamaica’s tourism industry to grow by 7% this winter season and was preparing to welcome an estimated 4.3 million visitors.