HIGH HOPES
Barbados’ Minister of Tourism is looking forward to “a very good winter season”.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy acknowledged the above this week, while speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) Regional Youth Seminar, held at the Frank Walcott Labour College in Mangrove, St. Philip.
“(Projections are) still quite positive for the winter period. The increased airlift and the forward bookings are all extremely good and we look forward to a very good winter season. We always were looking forward to it,” Minister Sealy remarked, when asked about projections for the period.
The Minister also revealed that due to the fact that some regional countries have been severely impacted in recent times by severe weather systems, there have been some additional bookings on island as a result of those unfortunate circumstances.
“We have also had to make some allowances for some of our neighbours who did not fare well with the recent weather systems and so we are accommodating some additional bookings as a result of that situation. Of course, that is business that has come as a result of something quite unfortunate and we would look forward that as we continue to grow, that they can also recover and that more business will come in the future for everyone,” Sealy meanwhile stated.
To give an idea of some of the damage experienced due to severe weather systems, A “Post Hurricane Maria Update” was subsequently obtained for the island of Dominica, from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). That update indicates that prior to Hurricane Maria, which descended on that island last month, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) had on record 73 properties, with 909 guest rooms. As of October 17, 2017, 64 of these properties had been reassessed for hurricane damage and the assessments show that 32 properties are moderately damaged and able to operate now or in the near future. Twenty-seven properties have been severely damaged or destroyed, with serious to total destruction of structures including roofs, electrical and plumbing. Wi-Fi is not available in most cases. The properties that suffered moderate damage, account for 51.4 per cent of the total room stock or 467 guest rooms.
Most natural tourist sites have also been assessed and it has been found that access roads to these sites have been damaged. Consequently, tourist sites and natural attractions are currently closed until repair work is complete. Overall, 35 per cent of reefs at dive sites were damaged, particularly sponges and softer corals above 45 feet. Currently, all nine dive operators are closed for business and most will not be operational before January 2018.
Overall, Dominica has classified this new period post-Maria, as one of relief, recovery and rebuilding. The positive news however, is that many areas, communities and families are now moving from the relief phase to recovery. (RSM)