Kingston, Jamaica - September 1, 2008 - The Jamaica Tourist Board is happy to report it is business as usual for the country’s mainstay, tourism.  As there was little or no damage to the island’s resorts and attractions, most entities were up and running during and immediately after the tropical storm. Weather conditions are beautiful and visitors are engaged in normal activities. The current situation is as follows:

AIRPORTS

Both International Airports in Kingston and Montego Bay reopened on Friday, August 29. Full operations experienced on Saturday August 30.

POWER

Restoration efforts are proceeding as expected.  As of Monday September 1, power has been restored to 92% of the country. The progress is much slower in the parishes of Portland, St. Mary, St. Catherine and St. Thomas where there was extensive flooding and inaccessible roads.

WATER AND TELEPHONES

Water & telephone were not disrupted in most resort areas.

HOTELS

No structural damage to hotels has been reported. Resorts are open, guests are in house and there is some cleaning of debris from trees.

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. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for 2006 and 2007, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination.            

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo. 

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).