Caribbean clean up continues following Hurricane Irma impact

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has continued to chart the impact of Hurricane Irma on hospitality in the region, revealing the major damage caused.

Antigua, which was impacted minimally by the hurricane, has seen electricity restored to the capital, St. John’s, and most parts of the island.

The V.C. Bird International Airport opened for all flights on September 7th.

On the other hand, Barbuda, with its approximately 1,800 residents, was severely impacted by the hurricane which passed directly over the small island, resulting in one fatality.

The prime minister, Gaston Browne, said 90 per cent of homes were destroyed.

Barbuda’s hotel infrastructure was also damaged, but with less than 100 hotel rooms the overall effect on tourism as a whole is minimal.

Anguillians are currently breathing a sigh of relief as Hurricane Jose largely bypassed the island.

The island had been under a tropical storm watch on Saturday, September 9th.
Islanders are moving swiftly to rebuild.

The Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport is now open from sunrise to sunset for charters and emergency flights.

The Road Bay Port at Sandy Ground has also reopened and can now receive cargo.

The governor and chief minister are continuing to assess the damage, identify priorities, and coordinate the response through the National Emergency Operations Centre.

Aid from the United Kingdom in the form of food, water, medical supplies and technical support has begun to arrive on the island.

Community volunteers are fully engaged in the massive clean-up campaign, with centres for the collection of debris from the storm established in key areas around the island.

In The Bahamas, the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau is open and international flights are beginning to return.

The remaining airports will resume operations once they have been assessed and cleared for opening by aviation officials.

Additionally, the Port of Nassau reopened on Sunday, September 10th.

However, no vessels are expected to arrive until tomorrow.

All other ports remain closed at this time.

Cruise reservation holders should check directly with their cruise provider for updates on departures and itineraries.

There are currently no reports of severe damage to the tourism product throughout the islands, with Atlantis, Paradise Island, Sandal Royal Bahamian, Warwick Paradise Island, Breezes Resort & Spa, and Baha Mar Resort all open.
Melia Nassau Beach Resort will reopen tomorrow.

The destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands has been devastating, according to a statement from Sharon Flax-Brutus, the director of tourism.

With cell phone towers down and power outages, communication to, from and within, the territory has been difficult, impacting the ability to fully assess the damage.

The destination has lost entire structures and many homes are without roofs, or have been diminished to mere foundations.

The government has begun to coordinate humanitarian relief efforts and an initial clean-up operation.

The United Kingdom government has sent relief and support.

Hurricane Irma passed over the northern portion of Cuba.

It has been reported that Havana has experienced major flooding, power has been knocked and widespread wind damage has impacted the area.

Ten people have died in Cuba, according to state television reports issued on September 11th.

In the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana International Airport has resumed normal operations following the passage of Hurricane Irma.

The area’s hotel sector is reporting no major damage, but damaged homes and flooded streets in Cabarete and Sosua have been reported.

Haiti was relatively unscathed.

All services remain in operation and the country continues to welcome visitors.

Travellers are advised to contact their local travel or booking agent for detailed arrangements about their bookings.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is reporting that major tourism infrastructure and attractions are operational and the island can continue to welcome new visitors.

The PRTC said while there have been power outages, many hotels, as well as essential services such as hospitals, have generators and are operational.

The majority of hotels throughout mainland Puerto Rico are ready to welcome new guests.

Attractions such as parks and beaches are currently being assessed to ensure a committed focus on quick clean up in the coming days.

Flights to and from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport have resumed.

Puerto Rico’s port is operational and started receiving ships on September 9th.

St. Kitts & Nevis sustained minimal damage overall and both St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and Nevis’ Vance W. Amory International Airport have reopened.

It has been reported that St. Barth’s was heavily impacted by Hurricane Irma which destroyed government buildings and badly damaged private homes

The French government has sent people and supplies to the country to assist with recovery efforts.

The recovery effort also continues in St. Maarten.

Director of tourism for Dutch St. Maarten, Rolando Brison, is reporting that Sun Wing has evacuated some visitors to Montreal, Canada, while other guests have also been evacuated.

The Princess Juliana International Airport has been receiving flights that are bringing in relief supplies, and evacuating guests.

No passengers, including media, are being allowed in at the moment due to a shortage of staff to man the airport.

The airport reopened on Sunday for relief flights after the passage of Hurricane Jose in the region.

Both the French and Dutch governments have sent people to the country along with supplies and vital aid.

The Turks & Caicos Islands Airports Authority has announced the reopening of the Providenciales International Airport for scheduled flights.

The department of disaster management and emergencies is currently conducting assessments throughout the islands.

Initial reports indicate localized flooding, and damage to roofs and some property but no reports of loss of life.

Several hotel properties were scheduled for annual closure prior to Irma; some properties have now elected to remain closed, to assess any damage to their properties and looking to reopen by the beginning to middle of October 2017.

Among those open are The Palms Resort, Shore Club and Seven Stars.

Windsong, The Regent Grand, and Villa Community are expected to close for two weeks, while Gansevoort, West Bay Clud, Somerset, Point Grace, Royal West Indies, Beaches, The Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven, La Vele, and Seven Stars will be closed for a month or more.