Princess Resorts reopens, boosting confidence among local travel agents
Published:Tuesday | February 3, 2026 | 1:05 PMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Three months after Hurricane Melissa forced its closure, Princess Resorts Jamaica in Hanover has reopened, bringing 1,000 staff back to work and restoring confidence among local travel agents, who are already booking major conferences at the property.
The reopening marks a significant step in the resort’s recovery and a return to normalcy for hundreds of workers who had been off the job since the hurricane’s passage late last year.
Local travel agent Dr Dave Chin Tung, operator of the award-winning Go! Jamaica Travel, said the atmosphere at the resort during the reopening weekend was one of renewed energy and relief, particularly among staff who had been unemployed for the last three months.
“Three months is a heck of a long time,” Chin Tung said, noting that employees he encountered were visibly excited to be back at work.
“They’re back to their usual spirit. Everywhere you go, you’re greeted with open arms. It really feels like a return to normality.”
Chin Tung, who also uses the property extensively for meetings and events, said the reopening immediately restores an important conference hub for Jamaica’s tourism sector. He confirmed that several major events are already scheduled at the resort, including conferences in March and April involving between 250 and 500 rooms across the Princess Grand and Princess Senses properties.
“That’s real business coming back on stream,” he said.
The management at Princess Resorts Jamaica said the resort has reopened in a phased and controlled manner to ensure service excellence, while rebuilding occupancy.
“February occupancy is currently tracking at about 75 per cent, with weekends peaking in the 80s and 90s; and figures are expected to climb steadily in the coming weeks as operations ramp up,” Kareen Hall, the resort group’s director of sales, told The Gleaner.
The company noted that positive forward bookings are already in place, supporting a smooth and sustainable return to full operations and the level of guest experience the brand is known for.
During the temporary closure, management said it maintained close engagement with staff, implementing supportive measures to keep team members connected to the organisation. The reopening now marks their full return to active operations.
COMMITTED TO COMPANY
Addressing concerns about labour migration during the closure, the resort acknowledged some natural movement, but said the vast majority of employees remained committed to the company.
“Our strong company culture and focus on long-term career development helped us retain our core talent,” the management said, noting that the team is fully prepared to deliver exceptional service to returning guests.
Another leading local travel agent, Kareem Lewis, operator of KLM Enterprise, said the reopening of Princess Resorts Jamaica is critical to restoring destination confidence, particularly among travellers booking individual leisure trips.
Lewis explained that his agency focuses primarily on FIT (free independent traveller) bookings, and said interest in the resort has increased since confirmation that it was fully reopened.
“Since the opening, we’ve been getting a lot of requests for Princess, especially for March and April,” he said, adding that many clients had been waiting for clarity before committing to travel plans.
He said the resort’s appeal lies in its scale, flexibility and product range, offering multiple room categories that cater to different traveller preferences, from more intimate accommodations to swim-up rooms and private villas.
Lewis also pointed to strong service delivery and diverse dining options as key drivers of repeat business, citing positive feedback from both family and adult travellers.
“The customer service has been excellent, and the restaurant offerings really stand out,” he said, noting the variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Jamaican and seafood, as part of the resort’s draw.
With staff back on the job, conferences returning and leisure demand rebuilding, the reopening of Princess Resorts Jamaica is already signalling renewed momentum for Jamaica’s tourism sector as it continues its post-Hurricane Melissa recovery.