Transport operators in the tourism sector are complaining that mounting debt, prolonged hotel closures, and growing competition from ride-sharing companies are pushing thousands of contract carriage drivers towards economic collapse in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The operators, who have formally written to the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) seeking emergency assistance, say approximately 5,000 drivers across the tourism transportation sector have been affected by the severe downturn in visitor movement since the hurricane devastated sections of Jamaica’s tourism industry late last year.

Their appeal comes as close to 5,000 hotel rooms across the island remain out of service, including roughly 3,000 rooms in Montego Bay, Jamaica’s tourism capital.