Showing posts with label Hurricanes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurricanes. Show all posts
Wet Sand - Use It - Love It
When we were in Jamaica last week, the sea was unusually rough from what we had experienced in the past. (Hence, the mention of the rouge wave in this article.) I mentioned this to our friend, and avid sailor, and he showed me a great website called WetSand.com. Use it to predict the wind speeds and surf elevation for your next trip! Great resource!
Hurricane Ike Press Release from Turks & Caicos
For Immediate ReleaseFor more information, contact:
Caesar Campbell Mike Sottak
+1 649 231 6607 +1 649 941 4218
caesar@turksandcaicoshta.com mike@wiredislandtci.com
Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Industry Open for Business
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – September 10, 2008 – The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) reports that it is largely ‘business as usual’ for the majority of its member properties and services catering to tourism in the island chain. Most properties in Providenciales, the main tourism center, suffered only minimal damage during the recent Hurricanes Hanna and Ike that passed by the islands. Greater damage was experienced in the outlying islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.
Power has been restored throughout most of Providenciales, and airline service by major carriers has resumed on regularly scheduled levels to Providenciales International Airport. Structural damage on Providenciales was minimal and no major beach erosion or environmental issues have been reported.
“We were extremely fortunate to have avoided a major hit to our tourism product, and are now prepared to resume business as usual in most places,” said Caesar Campbell, CEO of the TCHTA. “While September and October are typically slower months, and some properties are routinely closed for renovations during this time, we encourage travelers to consider the Turks & Caicos this fall and winter. As our country depends largely on tourism, it is important that we keep this economic engine running strongly as we work to help the less fortunate islands in the Turks & Caicos recover.”
Tourism operators such as scuba shops, fishing charters and others are also restoring their services back up to normal Fall season levels, and visitors can expect minimal if any, interruption from most service providers.
Smaller properties in the outer islands are still assessing damage and the TCHTA will maintain an updated status of all properties on its web site, www.turksandcaicoshta.com/fall08. A decision on cruise ship schedules will be made soon, after a more complete assessment of damages to Carnival Cruise Ship Center in Grand Turk has been made, although preliminary reports indicate that structure weathered the storms well.
Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines, resorts and hotel directly to confirm reservations, and to monitor the TCHTA web site for more information.
Persons interested in making donations to the hurricane relief efforts in Turks and Caicos can contact 1-800-477 IKE4 (4534).
About the TCHTAThrough involvement and cooperation with its tourism partners, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) is dedicated to the achievement of sustainable growth in tourism for the benefit of its members and the wider community, while protecting and enhancing the unique character and environment of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The TCHTA consists of more than 90 businesses and organizations, including the major resorts and property developments in TCI, as well as other businesses supporting the tourism and development industries. Additional information, including membership applications, can be found at www.tchta.com.
Hurricane Gustav Update!
Having lived in Miami for 2 years during the turbulent hurricane seasons of 2004-2005, my heart goes out to all facing the wrath of Gustav. Hurricanes are a very serious, life-changing matter, and the reason we relocated to Atlanta. Hurricane Gustav wrecked havoc on Haiti and Cuba, neither of which are destinations I sell and thankfully did not have any clients affected. Gustav did side-swiped the South Coast of Jamaica. I have been in contact with many of my South Coast & Negril hoteliers and villa owners and there has been no major damage and ALL are open for business. A quote from the AP, regarding Jamaica's encounter with this wild storm:Gustav ripped off roofs, downed power lines and pounded rain into Jamaica, triggering landslides and flooding and four deaths before moving out to sea Friday.
Here is an article from the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper!
Video Review - Spice Island Beach Resort
The Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada has always been one of my favorite resorts. Perhaps because there really isn't a hotel of comparable caliber in Grenada... Spice Island stands alone. This might have rung true as the reason a few years ago, but since Hurricane Ivan forced a massive renovation in 2004, the hotel has soared above resorts region wide, raking in dozens of prestigious awards. Spice Island earns my kudos because the renovation supposedly only cost $12 million. As you will see, it was certainly well spent. Enjoy this video:Download your own brochure HERE and then contact us for great package rates!
Jamaica is Open for Business!
I am absolutely thrilled that Hurricane Dean spared Jamaica the depth of damage we were all expecting. For the most part, the island only experienced flooding and landscape damage. Being the tropics, the flora and fauna will grow back very soon! The Jamaica Tourist Board has launched an official page with updates from the island's tourism sector. If you or a loved one has plans to visit Jamaica in the near future, you will find this information helpful and reassuring.
Hurricane Dean Update From The Weather Channel!
(Story taken from Weather.com on 8/20/07 as of 11:20AM.)Hurricane Dean has moved away from Jamaica after lashing the island nation with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, and gusts of at least 138 miles per hour. This came from an observation in Kingston as Dean swept buy to the city's south.
Some locations along the south shore may have experienced even more ferocious winds. The north shore escaped the worst that Dean had to offer but likely experienced hurricane gusts and tropical storm-force sustained winds during the height of the storm.
At 11 a.m. ET, the center of Hurricane Dean was located about 125 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It is moving toward the west at about 21 mph. Dean is expected to continue on a west or west-northwestward track throughout the remainder of the day. Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with further strengthening likely. In fact, Dean may reach category 5 status within the next several hours.
The Cayman Islands will feel the greatest impact today but fortunately has they have avoided a direct hit. The center of Dean has recently passed about 125 miles to the south of Grand Cayman. Heavy rain, high winds, dangerous surf, and storm surge have all impacted Caymans today.
Hurricane Dean Increases in Strength
My family and I moved from Miami to Atlanta in Dec. 2005 after enduring 5 hurricanes in 18 short months. Because my Caribbean travel business is affected by any regional hurricanes, living in a hurricane zone myself was too difficult. So now, as I sit in the sunny comforts of my Atlanta office I remember the fear that many of my Caribbean friends and family are facing right now. Hurricane Dean quickly became a category 4 storm today and is likely to become a cat 5 before making landfall in Jamaica... my favorite island. I will be monitoring the storm as I can't stray too far from the office because of the many clients I have that are trying to adjust their travel plans around this storm. I am happy to know that my clients can easily reach me rather than waiting for extended periods to contact the airline or hotel if they had booked direct.While each airline and each hotel chain do have full hurricane details on their websites by now, along with CNN, the Weather Channel and others, the state department's website is also helpful.
We sit, watch, wait, and hope for the best.