How Hurrican Dean affected Caribbean tourism

Many tourists often flee a destination when nature takes a turn for the worst, and it was no different with Hurricane Dean within the last week, as it had hundreds of tourists fleeing to the airports to escape its wrath. As the various, affected islands assess damages, and tend to citizens' needs, they're also assessing the impact on their tourism product. Travel Diva Ellen Creager, in a brief post of how Dean affected tourism sites in the Caribbean and Mexico, noted that several sites were spared. St Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts, Grand Cayman, Dominican Republic, Jamaica She reports that St Lucia's, Barbados' and St Kitts' tourism spots are in good shape and that their airports are open and electricity is on. Grand Cayman was spared a direct hit and "miraculously escaped with only 50 mile per hour winds". Similarly, the Dominican Republic had heavy rains and winds, but was spared major tourism damage. However, in Jamaica, the Kingston area and south coast were hit badly. Creager reports that "northern, tourism spots like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios seem to have gotten off easier, but few reports so far", while the road to the airport in Kingston is reportedly covered with sand and debris. In a Caribbean Net News release, St Lucia's Director of Tourism Maria Fowell stated: "The airports in the north and in the south of the island (St Lucia) were open for business, and American Eagle has resumed flights to George F. L. Charles Airport with additional services scheduled to move delayed passengers between San Juan, Puerto Rico and the island. Fowell added that all roads affected by landslides have now been cleared and are passable, facilitating access between the north and south. Additionally, electricity has been restored and businesses resumed operations on Saturday." Martinique The Martinique Tourism Authority also reported that: "Martinique’s tourism industry remains intact following the passing of Hurricane Dean. The international airport – Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport – re-opened at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, while the island’s hotel infrastructure emerged virtually unscathed with only minor cosmetic damages reported to buildings. Hotel landscaping was impacted more extensively, though none of the island’s 160 hotels and resorts will close due to the storm." Dominica According to a press release from the Dominica Tourist Board: "The island (Dominica) has escaped Hurricane Dean with only minimal impact to its tourism infrastructure. This statement follows a thorough assessment of the island’s hotels, tour operators and major tourist attractions that was conducted over the weekend and earlier today. Overall, Dominica’s hotels have suffered minimal to no damage, are operational and are ready to welcome guests. Infrastructure at all hotels remains fully intact with only a handful of properties reporting minor damage and the need for clean-up from instances of fallen trees, downed fences, shingles blown away, water damage or broken windows or light bulbs. Electricity and running water have been restored to most hotels with service to the rest to be restored shortly. No tourist evacuations were necessary. Major tourist attractions also fared well against Hurricane Dean. While most are closed so that fallen trees can be removed, debris can be cleaned from trails and other clean-up efforts can be undertaken, Kalinago Barana Aute, Cabrits, Fort Shirley and Emerald Pool are already cleared and open to receive visitors. Soufriere Sulfur Springs is the only site to suffer infrastructural damage due to flooding and the pools will remain closed until further notice. The majority of the island’s tour and dive operators are open for business with only some reporting any cancellation of tours." Initial reports indicated that Dean may have hit Mexico south of the big tourist resorts in the Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Cancun; "all were damaged by a direct hit in 2005 by Hurricane Wilma and have just rebuilt". The BBC reports that "Cancun and other tourist resorts were spared a direct hit as the storm came ashore at 0330 (0830 GMT) about 40 miles (65km) north-east of Chetumal". Click here for a BBC report on some of the Caribbean islands' losses. Clearly, news on Hurricane Dean's effects will updated as the days go by, and more information will be disseminated. What was going on the people's minds before Hurricane Dean? Although busy with preparations for Dean’s impending arrival over the weekend, Jamaican bloggers found some time to give an update of what was taking place. Meanwhile, in the spirit of concern and camaraderie, Jamaicans in South Florida, Miami, were making arrangements to send donations to their countrymen. Geoffrey Philp, a Jamaican author also residing in Miami listed the various drop off points for donations. My Barbados Blog gave a brief overview of the damage Jamaica incurred. Meanwhile, Mad Bull, over in the Cayman Islands, gave a personal report of his preparations. Barbados was also thankfully spared from an altercation with Dean, and Cheese-on-bread describes a laissez-faire attitude citizens had towards the hurricane: “Many of us treat storms or hurricanes like a spectator sport, going to the beach to check out the waves crashing in. Some would rush into the supermarket at the 11th hour to collect hurricane supplies (usually corned beef, sardines and biscuits), though a lot more folks are stocking up early in the hurricane season now.Then there are those who consider the passage of a hurricane a vacation day, actually going to the video store to stock up on tapes of dvds! As if you can enjoy a movie while your roof is sailing away. God bless us Bajans, we're some lucky people.”