Sun Destination Status Report: What to know after the hurricanes

​As thousands of Caribbean and Floridan residents struggle with deteriorating conditions and lack of food and clean water in Hurricane Irma ravaged areas, hotels and resorts have begin to assess the damage sustained by the historic storm.
All Canadian vacationers initially stranded have now returned home, aided by rescue flights by Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, Sunwing as well as other U.S. and European carriers.
Naturally, some of the hardest hit islands where the Category 5 hurricane (at the time) made its first landfall are the most affected, such as the tiny island of Barbuda in the Lesser Antille, who reported catastrophic damage and only an estimated 5% of its buildings remain.
Antigua, Sint Maarten/St. Martin, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Cuba and the Turks and Caicos all took a hits too, with extensive damage reported throughout. Airports were closed leading up to and in the wake of the storm, but have now re-opened.

With tourism being the key industry in most of the Caribbean, cleanup and rebuild efforts of the beaches, hotels, and resorts are now top of mind. The loss of communication had made it hard for hoteliers to report on the extent of the damage their hotels up until now, but Canadian tour operators (such as West Jet, Air Canada Vacations and Transat) have now been able to get their specialists on the ground. They made their assessments and have offered the following commitments:

ANTIGUA

• The airport and roads are in perfect condition, apart from shredded vegetation that has since been cleared and picked up.
• Roadside vendors are back, hotels are fully operational, zip line is open and beaches have kept their white sand and blue waters.
  • Antigua Galley Bay is not accepting guests until at least Nov 1, 2017
  • Verandah expected to re-open Oct 14

HOLGUIN

• Infrastructure has suffered no significant damage, all resorts are fully operational.
• One upside of the hurricane is that large quantities of sand were moved during the storm and have increased the width of beaches in the area.
• “We were amazed by what we saw; Holguin is in pristine condition. The beaches are bigger and feel even better than before, with super soft and fine sand,” said Mabel Ocampo, Manager, Product Development at Air Canada Vacations.

​VARADERO

• According to Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism, the country is taking this opportunity to make Cuba even more beautiful than before.
• The airport is fully functional, the streets are clean, and there is no visible damage in the area.
• Similar to Holguin, the beaches are in pristine condition and larger as well.
• The town of Varadero is ready for the winter season with all restaurants and boutiques open. Majority of hotels are completely operational and ready to receive guests EXCEPT at the following properties:
  • Blau Cayo Libertad expected to re-open Oct 16
  • Family Concierge by Paradisus expected to re-open by Dec 1
  • Gran Caribe Puntarenas Playa Caleta expected to re-open by Nov 16
  • Melia Peninsula expected to re-open by Nov 1
  • Paradisus Varadero expected to re-open by Dec 1
  • Blau Marina Varadero is under evaluation (no re-open date has been released)
  • Brisas del Caribe is under evaluation
  • Club Karey is under evaulation
  • Hotel Bella Costa is under evaiuation
  • Hotel Tuxpan is under evaluation 
  • Los Delfines is under evaluation
  • Villa Sotavento is under evaluation

PUNTA CANA

• Infrastructure, such as airport and roads, is in great condition.
• Beaches are now almost back to their original state; some have sustained damage to the palm trees and gardens.
• All resorts are open and operational.

TURKS AND CAICOS

• Airport is now open and operational; they are accepting daily flights onto the island.
• Most hotels and resorts have just recently reopened, with the exception of Beaches Turks & Caicos, which is expected to re-open Dec 15
• The Somerset at Grace Bay is under evaluation.
• Club Med Turkoise is under evaluation but is expected to re-open in the coming weeks.

THE BAHAMAS 

• Sandals Resorts International reports that its properties  on Fowl Cay and Great Exuma had already been closed for maintenance, so there was no impact to guests. The company also reported that Sandals Royal Bahamian, located in Nassau, "has escaped Hurricane Irma unscathed." Sandals Emerald Bay, located in Great Exuma, was also spared the worst of Hurricane Irma’s path and sustained no damage following the storm.
• According to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, other hotels and resorts that are set to welcome guests include Atlantis, Paradise Island, Warwick, The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Melia Nassua Beach Resort. 

Please note: 
The above information can change. For more information on a particular resort or destination that isn't detailed here, or if you have an upcoming trip to any of the affected areas, please contact your agent at Around the World Travel, 1-800-922-7221 or travel@aroundtheworldtravel.ca