Jamaica ‘open for business’ as Mexico braces for Hurricane Beryl
Jamaica is "open for business" following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which is now heading for Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula where a hurricane warning is in place.
Visit Jamaica said the island’s "reputation for resilience" was born out in its response to Beryl, the earliest category five hurricane on record in the north Atlantic region.
"Jamaica’s hotels and resorts were well-prepared as staff and guests remained safe during the storm," said the tourism authority, although it stressed prospective visitors should check with their travel agent or travel provider before embarking on any journeys.
It confirmed the island’s plans to reopen its airports; Sangster International in Montego Bay has reopened, as has Ian Fleming International in Ocho Rios.
Kingston’s Norman Manley International was due to follow on Friday morning (5 July). Jamaica’s three main cruise ports – Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth – have all reopened.
Although Beryl skirted the south coast of Jamaica, it did not pass without causing significant damage, destroying homes and businesses, bringing down power networks and causing widespread flooding.
It follows the destruction brought to Grenada’s sister islands Carriacou and Petite Martinique earlier this week, and Union Island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Nine people are understood to have died in countries affected by Beryl.
The hurricane, which has since reduced in intensity to a category three storm, is now heading towards Mexico Yucatan’s peninsula – a highly popular tourist destination – and is still likely to bring winds in excess of 100mph and heavy rain.
The US National Hurricane Center said Beryl would bring hurricane force winds and potentially dangerous storm surge to the region. A hurricane warning is in place covering Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Tulum airport will be closed until midday on Sunday (7 July) and the Foreign Office has warned of potential disruption at Cancun airport.
In an update to its travel advice on Friday (5 July), the FCDO said hurricane conditions were expected along the Yucatan peninsula where, besides a hurricane warning, there is a tropical storm warning in place along the peninsula’s north and west coast from Campeche to Holbox.
Travellers have been advised to closely monitor local and international weather updates and follow the advice of both the local authorities and their travel providers, including any evacuation orders. Anyone due to travel in the coming days should contact their tour operator and/or airline said the FCDO.
‘Resilient community’
Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), praised public and private sector partnerships and the Jamaican tourism sector’s "strong level of preparedness" for the way the island weathered the storm.
"Jamaica was spared the worst of the hurricane and we have now returned to regular business operations,” said Madden-Greig. "We have no reports of any guests being injured during the passage of the storm, and the majority of the hotels and the tourism industry in general have emerged unscathed."
However, she acknowledged the impact in the south of the island, where several independent hotels and villa operations are based. "We will be including these operators in our disaster relief efforts, particularly in the Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth area,” she continued, adding it was her belief the "resilient community" in the region would rebound promptly.
On the Cayman Islands, the CHTA said there were no reports of any major impact on the tourism sector there. "We are now resolved to getting our industry back on track, while serving communities (especially those in the Grenadines) who are in dire need at this time," Madden-Greig added.
‘Immense praise and thanks’
Sandals Resorts International said its guests and team members across the Caribbean were safe, and that its resorts in Beryl’s path – in Jamaica, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Grenada – remain open.
However, it said some areas of Jamaica remained without electricity or internet access, while stressing its resorts were equipped with back-up generators to provide power.
"We are incredibly fortunate, as the majority of work over the next few days involves addressing damage to trees and landscaping, returning outdoor furniture and supplies to common resort areas and bringing the full resort experience back online.
"Although regular commercial flights have been disrupted, airports in the region are quickly reopening and working to restore schedules. We are encouraging guests to remain in the comfort and safety of our resorts until their return flights are confirmed."
Sandals said it wanted to thank its guests and agent partners for their support, collaboration and cooperation as Hurricane Beryl made its passage through the Caribbean.
"Our team members deserve immense praise and thanks for their commitment, focus, and hard work that went into ensuring everyone at our resorts remained safe, comfortable and that our properties were able to withstand this significant storm," said Sandals.
"These efforts came at a time when their own families and communities were at risk and while we work on returning our resorts to normal operations in the coming days, we are also completely committed to our local communities that greatly need our support."
Through the Sandals Foundation, the group has set up a disaster relief initiative with 100% of the proceeds going to the organisation’s Caribbean emergency response efforts.
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