One hundred travel advisors participated in the ALG Vacations Come Back to Give Back Jamaica Voluntourism FAM, collectively raising over $13,000 in donations and bringing dozens of suitcases packed with essential supplies including school items, fresh socks, toothpaste, dog food, and everyday necessities desperately needed by Jamaican communities recovering from Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact last October.
The impact of the ALG Vacations voluntourism initiative proved immediate and profound, with travel advisors from across the United States traveling to the Caribbean island for four days of volunteer work, resort site inspections, professional networking, and celebration—all recognizing the unbreakable spirit and resilience of the Jamaican people. Travel Market Report attended the FAM to witness firsthand both how Jamaica’s tourism industry has recovered and where continued assistance remains critically needed and deeply appreciated.
Remarkable Tourism Recovery Despite Hurricane Damage
Jamaica reopened its doors to international tourists on December 15, 2025, just weeks after Hurricane Melissa devastated portions of the island nation. In that relatively short recovery period, the destination has welcomed over 500,000 visitors, representing approximately $750 million in crucial tourism income supporting economic recovery and employment restoration.
The Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, delivered a powerful speech during the FAM’s opening night, reminding attending travel advisors that while Hurricane Melissa dealt a devastating blow to infrastructure and communities, Jamaica refuses to remain down for long.
“We Jamaicans, we are little, but we are tallawah … little, small, but we are powerful. We are strong. We are indomitable. We have a spirit that is unbroken,” Bartlett proclaimed. “We said tourism is not going to be broken by Melissa … We are not only going to recover, [but] we are going to thrive, and we’re going to have a V-shaped recovery of tourism in Jamaica.”
Ongoing Recovery Needs Beyond Tourist Infrastructure
While hotels and resorts are functioning normally and welcoming guests, substantial recovery work continues throughout affected communities. Families need new roofs for damaged homes, animal rescue organizations require support relocating displaced dogs, and households desperately need basic supplies including food, toilet paper, diapers, and hygiene products.
ALGV’s voluntourism FAM was specifically designed with this dual mission—professional education and community service. Participating advisors arrived carrying suitcases filled with donated supplies and dedicated hours to hands-on volunteer activities supporting hurricane recovery efforts across multiple community organizations.
“You came as a powerful force of volunteerism to give back to the people of Jamaica,” Minister Bartlett acknowledged, expressing gratitude for the travel advisor community’s tangible support beyond simply booking vacations.
Financial Contributions Double Through Matching Program
Beyond physical donations, ALG Vacations established a financial contribution program supporting Jamaica’s long-term recovery infrastructure needs. Travel advisors and their professional networks have raised $13,000, which ALGV pledged to match dollar-for-dollar, effectively doubling the impact to $26,000 total.
These financial contributions will fund new playground equipment for affected schools, water heaters for community facilities, building supplies for home repairs, and numerous other critical recovery projects benefiting Jamaican communities hardest hit by hurricane damage.
In an exclusive interview, Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands at ALG Vacations, expressed being overwhelmed by the extraordinary love and support demonstrated by the travel advisor community for Jamaica’s recovery.
“This [FAM] has exceeded my expectation, and I had a very high expectation for what I thought we could do,” Marks shared. “I never thought one advisor would bring 12 suitcases, you know, and there were several advisors who brought eight suitcases, 10 suitcases, 12 suitcases … [the advisors] brought everything that we could have ever imagined and more. It was overwhelming.”
Personal Stories Illustrate Transformative Impact
The ALGV Jamaica voluntourism FAM transformed lives both for Jamaican communities receiving assistance and for participating travel advisors who witnessed recovery needs firsthand.
Meika Cole, owner of Travel N Bags and self-identified “Jamerican” who has visited Jamaica regularly for six consecutive years, saw the FAM as opportunity to help a country she deeply cares for. Having last visited in July 2025, just months before Hurricane Melissa struck, Cole witnessed dramatic changes but also remarkable resilience. Jamaica has consistently been her best-selling destination for five years.
“It was a real sense of gratitude and a real welcoming spirit,” Cole reflected, describing the emotional experience of witnessing both devastation and determined recovery efforts.
Stephanee Hughson, founder of travel agency Plans in Paradise, participated in the Give Back FAM because of her personal history with Jamaica, which was the first international destination she ever visited.
“It was really neat to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves,” Hughson explained. “I’ve always loved Jamaica … when you see everyone come together, community over competition, you can feel it in your bones.”
Hannah Hofstetter, a former school teacher who launched HH World Travel just one year ago, participated in her very first FAM trip through this voluntourism initiative. Having been in Turks and Caicos during Hurricane Melissa, she understood the storm’s devastating regional impact.
“I wish we could do it again, you know, seeing how much the donations meant to them and how much they needed. I would like to fill another six suitcases to send back,” Hofstetter shared, highlighting how witnessing community needs inspired continued commitment to supporting recovery.
Colleen Otto, owner of Florida-based Tropical Breeze Travel, described the FAM as a unique bonding experience, arriving knowing almost no one and departing having forged meaningful professional relationships.
“You always learn something on any FAM trip, but learning you can help others just makes you feel better,” Otto observed.
Showcasing Jamaica’s Operational Tourism Infrastructure
Beyond humanitarian assistance, the FAM served critical purposes demonstrating to travel advisors that Jamaica remains fully operational and welcoming tourists. The itinerary included 13 comprehensive site inspections at resorts throughout Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios. All inspected properties were fully functional and maintaining excellent condition, with several operating at over 90% capacity during the visit.
Marks emphasized that travel advisors continuing to sell Jamaica as a destination represents crucial ongoing support for recovery efforts.
“We have to support those that support us,” Marks stressed. “So if we don’t come into these destinations and support them in a time of need, they’re not going to be there when our clients need them. So beyond just being the right thing to do, it’s a requirement for this travel ecosystem to work.”
Overwhelming Industry Response and Future Opportunities
The ALGV Jamaica Voluntourism FAM attracted over 1,300 travel advisors expressing interest in attending, demonstrating extraordinary industry enthusiasm for supporting destination recovery. The Facebook live event hosted on-site garnered over 6,000 advisor views within the first 48 hours, confirming widespread community engagement.
In response to this overwhelming interest, ALG Vacations is offering independent FAM opportunities for additional advisors wanting to participate in Jamaica’s recovery while conducting professional site inspections. These opportunities involve discounted hotel stays and arrangements, allowing advisors to create customized itineraries directly with Amstar.
“If somebody really wants to come into a destination and maybe they want to see three hotels, then we’re providing the discount in order to get them here,” Marks explained, facilitating continued advisor education and community support.
The initiative has clearly left lasting impressions on participants, including Marks herself, who has not been shy about sharing how personally meaningful this mission has become.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and I have been to Jamaica more times than I can even remember or count. And every experience I’ve had with the people of Jamaica has touched my heart. The community of Jamaica is just a very, very special group of people,” Marks shared.
For continuing updates on travel industry humanitarian initiatives, destination recovery efforts, and advisor community engagement, visit The Inspiring Insight for comprehensive coverage of voluntourism programs, disaster recovery support, and meaningful ways travel professionals contribute to communities worldwide while advancing professional development and destination knowledge.
