Three weeks later Hurricane Fiona makes landfall In Puerto RicoTourism officials there pledged solidarity with those affected by the storm’s high winds and rain, and worked to make it clear that hotels, resorts, airports, cruise ports and other attractions The island’s largest tourist attractions are open, operational and safe.
It’s a delicate message duo to share, no doubt. Ultimately, the storm caused extensive damage in many parts of the United States, damaging homes and infrastructure, and leaving many people without electricity and water.
Brad Dean, CEO of the island’s official tourism organization, Discover Puerto Rico, spoke about the long-term effects of the storm.
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At the same time, he quickly identified the difference between Fiona and Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall nearly 5 years earlier to this day, fueling the recovery that continues today. now.
“We were so lucky,” Dean said of the state of the tourism industry after Fiona. “Much of the tourism industry in Puerto Rico has been overlooked.”
He draws on that distinction as he speaks with empathy for those facing a long road ahead for Fiona, while also hoping to ensure those who are considering trips to Puerto Rico – or with trip was planned – stay cruise and visit.
Puerto Rico once again faces recovery
Any conversation about vacations, beaches, and travel is secondary to a discussion of the human impact of Hurricane Fiona.
Particularly in the western and southern areas of Puerto Rico, people have to face significant storm damage; a regime that many people are familiar with after half a decade the devastation caused by Maria in September 2017.
As of last week, workers had restored electricity to 93% of the island and water service to 98%, according to figures shared by Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi.
However, in a territory of 3.2 million people, that means hundreds of thousands of people remain without electricity and tens of thousands without running water.
“Right now, Puerto Rico is in full recovery mode,” Pierluisi said last Monday, the day President Joe Biden visited the island to inspect the damage.
Wind and flood damage caused by Fiona also temporarily halted, complicated or expanded the scope of ongoing projects by Maria, prompting the federal government to expand its disaster declaration and commit additional funding to support rebuilding efforts.
However, what makes the aftermath of a hurricane all the more expensive is when the ramifications extend far beyond the wind and rain. And on that front, tourism officials hope to avoid the more lasting consequences of this storm.
The tourism industry is relatively unspoiled
The widespread devastation from Hurricane Maria did more than destroy businesses, homes and the power grid. The immediate devastation and suffering brought on by the hurricane was compounded when another reality set in: With all the damage to hotels, attractions and the devastation of San Juan Airport ( SJU), tourists – with all the money they bring home and the work they support – cannot easily visit.
That means Puerto Rico doesn’t have one of its main economic drivers.
However, three weeks after Fiona made landfall, Dean is cautiously optimistic that the aftermath of this storm will be different.
“This turned out to be a step backwards, but not the rest,” he told TPG.
Flights were able to begin taking off and landing back at San Juan Airport and elsewhere in the territory shortly after the storm.
Furthermore, Puerto Rico’s cruise ports are back up and running storm update page on Discovery Puerto Rico’s website, “Most hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and venues are open.”
Specifically, Dean said major hotels and resorts are back on the grid, even in the suburbs of Puerto Rico.
The organization’s website also mentions the island’s beaches and national parks, along with destinations such as Old San Juan, La Placita de Santurce, Carabali Rainforest Park, Castillo San Cristobal and others that have opened their doors. work again.
“When you step back and look at the impact [of Fiona]”The only comparison is that both occurred in September,” said Dean, comparing the storm’s broader effects to those seen five years ago with Maria.
Discovery Puerto Rico has been sharing photos of properties, with date stamps to show current operating condition, like this image of the Ambassador Suites by Hilton Dorado Del Mar Beach Resort taken on May 26th. September 2022. Hopefully the images will help make it clear that resorts can, in fact, attract guests right now.
But he also admits that in the wake of a major storm, those who will be visitors may need a little more convincing to come; and he’s ready to make his throw.
Tourism officials: Puerto Rico is safe to visit
Dean believes that Puerto Rico is “really ready to welcome back tourists,” as he told TPG, stemming from the fact that the majority of tourists come to and from the San Juan metropolitan area in the their trip.
Sure, the hotels are open; But what can visitors notice regarding damage beyond the property?
“If you go to the San Juan metro area, you won’t even realize that we’ve had a catastrophic weather event over the past few weeks,” he said. “If you drive out into the outback, you’ll see where there’s been some flood damage.”
However, he noted that even some of those locations are starting to see businesses reopen.
The message seems to be spreading, with shipping lines confirming their schedules for this fall, Dean said, and no major meetings or conferences in the coming months cancelled.
Certainly, if you’re considering or planning a visit, you’ll want to double check with your particular resort for its operational condition just to be on the safe side.
That continued momentum, however, was abated after the protracted economic downturns that stemmed from Maria. The island saw a record number of tourism in 2021 and is on track to break that record this year.
Dean takes it as a sign that the island has come a long way in the past 5 years.
“When I look back now,” he said, “I realize how much progress the island has made not only in our preparedness but also in our responsiveness.”
Key point
Puerto Rico once again faces an important road to recovery from Hurricane Fiona, especially in the southern and western parts of the island.
As the recovery picks up, however, officials want travelers to understand they can make their trips as planned. In fact, tourism officials expect they would.
In the meantime, there are ways to help hurricane victims affected by both Fiona and Ian, in both Puerto Rico and Florida. With so many people looking for ways they can help after the storm – and there are many ways you can help – one such way, Dean points out, is to visit the island and spend money.
“There is no better way to help the people of Puerto Rico than by scheduling or continuing a vacation,” he said. “There’s no need to worry about whether Puerto Rico is ready or not.”
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