In just a few short weeks, it will be the one year anniversary since hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Caribbean. With Hurricane Maria as one of the most destructive and deadly storms to hit the islands, they continue to rebuild and find solid ground once again. Fortunately, there were many islands that faced minimal damages during this storm, but Puerto Rico, Barbuda, Anguilla, Dominica, St. Barts, St. Maarten/St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands, and US Virgin Islands faced significant loss. This loss has had an unfathomable impact on not only residents, but the Caribbean tourism that supports their economy. Here is more on these islands and what visitors can expect during their next visit:
As one of the most impacted islands, Puerto Rico is slowly but steadily rebuilding. Daily flight schedules have returned to normal and all airports are operational while land transportation, such as buses and rental car companies, have also gone back to their usual operating schedule. Approximately 95.2% of the island has power, with only remote and rural areas still being impacted. 98% have running water, telecommunications are at 99%, and there dozens of hospitals that are 100% operational.
Since mid-May, 89% of the islands hotels have been restored while a handful of Puerto Rican resorts are still closed, but have begun to take reservations for later dates. Many of these resorts and hotels still closed are completing extensive renovations to ensure their guests and timeshare owners are met with quality during their next vacation.
Resort Reopening Dates:
Both St. Maarten and St. Martin have made great improvements to their islands in recent months. St. Maarten seems to have nearly completely restored communications with electricity, cell services, and Wi-Fi. St. Martin is still headed in that direction. Both sides of the island are hoping to have their hotel and resort inventory as much as 54% open by the end of the year. Many of their largest accommodations are near completion for their renovations and many of the island attractions are ready for guests to return.
Resort Reopening Dates:
Anguilla has been fortunate to already have most of their activities, lodgings, and other tourism necessities back in working order. Electricity, cell, and internet services are all restored as well as transportation, beaches, hospitals, pharmacies, and supermarkets. Three of their existing five-star resorts have already been reopened with others not too far behind.
Resort Reopening Dates:
As one of the most devastated islands, Barbuda has plenty of rebuilding to continue working on as they look towards the future and the impact it will have on Caribbean tourism to their land. Though some of the coral reefs were destroyed around the island, there have been signs of regeneration and the storms have created sandy, beautiful beaches for visitors. Some of the islands most popular attractions, such as the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, have been reopened. There are some resorts, such as CoCo Point Lodge, which was extremely damaged and has been put up for sale.
Like others, Dominica is working towards a full recovery even one year later. With cell service at 90%, water availability at 100%, and continued progress towards electricity to everyone on the island, they are making strides. Dominica’s ferries, the Douglas Charles airport, land transportation, and cruise ports are open with the hope to bring back guests. In addition, all but four of the official sites in Dominica have also been reopened.
St. Barts has been working hard to bounce back after being deeply impacted by the Caribbean hurricane damages. More than half of the existing villas on the island are ready for use at this exact moment or will be open by the winter season. The majority of the restaurants are also now open with all 14 beaches cleaned and cleared of debris since last November.
The US Virgin Islands is still working on its recovery efforts. Power has been restored to the islands with most debris cleaned, 95% of restaurants open, most forms of transportation replenished, and majority of attractions are operational for regular Caribbean tourism. As of now, around 60% of resorts and hotels are functional. Wyndham Elysian Beach Resort, Bluebeard’s Beach Resort, and Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham have all been reopened.
Resort Reopening Dates:
Similar to the US Virgin Islands, some of the territory was more damaged than other areas. Anegada was one of the least impacted islands with more of its properties open to the public. BVI also has returned to its normal schedules with air and sea transportation, opened its ports for popular cruise lines, and has electricity, water, and mobile networks throughout the islands.
Resort Reopening Dates:
SellMyTimeshareNow wants all of our customers to stay informed about Hurricane Irma recovery, Hurricane Maria recovery, and general Caribbean hurricane damages. WIth more questions, please contact our timeshare experts today by calling (877) 815-4227.
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