Paradise Lost: Caribbean Islands rebuilding after Hurricane Irma 2017

Thankfully the Cayman Islands was untouched but we have here an Island-by-island Update:

Puerto Rico

Tourism will be crucial in helping the U.S. commonwealth rebuild. Seventy-six percent of hotels endorsed by the Puerto Rican Tourism Co. are open, including San Juan landmarks like the Condado Vanderbilt, in addition to the cruise terminal and 4,000 restaurants. Charter-yacht company the Moorings also resumed its sailings to Vieques and Culebra this month.

British Virgin Islands

Irma made a direct hit, and many resorts remain shuttered. But you can still go on a sailing vacation, since companies like Virgin Motor Yachts and Festiva Sailing Vacations are operating. Many restaurants, including Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, are serving customers Visit bvivolunteers.com for voluntourism opportunities.

St. Maarten/St. Martin

On the Dutch side of the island, the cruise port is open, as are many of the shops in the capital of Philipsburg and the bars and restaurants in Simpson’s Bay. On the French side, some guesthouses are back in business, while larger resorts hope to be operational by April.

Dominica

Maria passed right over Dominica, destroying homes, hotels, and some reefs. Still, there are more than 20 places to stay, and voluntourism opportunities are plentiful. Travelers with Cool Breeze Tours help clear the Waitukubuli National Trail; those with Cobra Tours work on restoring the Indian River.

U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas and St. John bore the brunt of both Irma and Maria, while St. Croix fared better (the Buccaneer Resort there reopened November 1). Though many hotels remain closed, travelers can stay in villas and Airbnbs or on charter yachts. Cruise ships are calling in St. Thomas, and some St. John beaches, including Trunk Bay, are ready for swimmers. visitusvi.com. For the status of individual properties, seeusviupdate.com.

Anguilla

Some hotels, including Ce Blue and Frangipani Beach Resort, already welcomed travelers this season. More than 70 percent of restaurants are running, and the beaches are clean. Zemi Beach House is slated to reopen February 15, while the Four Seasons will reopen March 23.

Barbuda

This island was one of the hardest hit, with all of its 1,600 residents forced to relocate to sister island Antigua, but a rebuilding effort is under way. Barbuda Belle, selected by T+L as one of the year’s best new hotels in 2016, plans to reopen in November. The government is encouraging travelers to visit Antigua to help support the recovery.

St. Barts

The French territory is on the road to recovery. Most restaurants and shops in the capital, Gustavia, are now open. Many beachfront resorts (Le Guanahani, Le Barthélemy) are projecting reopenings later this year; some smaller properties (Le Village, Salines Garden) are already up and running.

Content in this article was produced with assistance from Aruba Tourism Authority.

 

Sources:

Travel and Leisure January 23 2018

http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/caribbean-tourism-update

Buzzfeed

https://www.buzzfeed.com/nidhisubbaraman/island-hurricane-response?utm_term=.kjJka4VXmy#.elB7bmaKex

Sept 14,2017

https://www.economist.com/news/americas/21729007-region-must-adapt-climate-change-not-simply-rebuild-how-hurricane-irma-will-change

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