Life after Irma and Maria: How Cuba and Dominica have recovered

On Sept. 8th, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cuba. The northern coast and its respective beachside resort towns experienced ravaging winds that ripped up palm trees, tossed resort furniture like toys, and tore through popular four and five-star resorts, leaving a trail of wreckage. In the 72-hour carnage, Hurricane Irma claimed the lives of 10 Cubans.

Just 10 days later, on Sept. 18th, Hurricane Maria paid a devastating visit to Dominica as a Category 5 storm. Hurricane Maria claimed the lives of at least 27 people, shattered entire neighbourhoods, and carved a path of total destruction through this closely-knit Caribbean island.

Now, a little over two months later, Cuba and Dominica are vastly different. Cubans and Dominicans have been tirelessly rebuilding, and channelling their efforts and energy into making these two islands beautiful once more, both for the people who live their and the tourists who love them.

Here are the latest updates from Cuba and the Dominica:

Cuba

PAX sent two journalists down to the Cayo Coco regions of Cuba on seperate occasions in October, to see first-hand the impact of Hurricane Irma. Though the trips were largely different, the general feedback was the same: in the face of adversity, the Cuban people stepped up to the challenge that was Hurricane Irma, put their heads and hearts together, and rebuilt the island to make it even better than before for the tourists coming back for the winter. The government has been working around the clock to restore Cuba to its original beauty--and then some! The majority of the resorts in the Cayo Coco regions re-opened in early and mid-November, including seven that PAX visited: Sol Cayo Coco, Iberostar Playa Pillar, Melia de Jardines, Melia Cayo Guillermo, Memories Flamenco, Pestana, and Pullman Hotels and Resorts.

Much has been said about the Cayo Coco regions of Cuba, but what about Cuba’s other beloved beaches and colourful cities, like Varadero, Havana, Cayo Guillermo, and Cayo Santa Maria? PAX spoke exclusively with Eloy Govea, Director, Cuba Tourist Board, Canada, to find out just how much Cuba has changed in the last two months since Hurricane Irma touched down on Sept. 8, 2017.

Here’s the latest updates on Cuba:

Varadero

The lively cabarets, authentic restaurants and storied golf course continue to serve a diverse collection of locals and tourists. At least one million tourists flock to Varadero each year, and the Cuba Tourist Board predicts that number will only go up.

Cayo Santa Maria

In a strange twist of fate, Hurricane Irma actually sent a blessing to the region of Cayo Santa Maria: the magical 13 km beaches had more white-sand and dunes than ever. With airports now open, tourists can once again experience the vibrant handicrafts market and enjoy a series of leisurely activities.

Havana

Photographs around the world showed that Havana’s old seawall bore the brunt of Irma’s heavy blows--gusts of winds were recorded as reaching up to 260 km/h, and the city centre experienced major structural damage and flooding. However, the Cuba Tourist Board ensures that Havana is safe and ready for visitors, and that its guests will still be able to enjoy the old, colourful vintage cars and buildings that this lively city is known for. There are no more floods, and the streets are safe to walk through.

Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, and Camaguey remained virtually untouched by the hurricane, and tourists should note that resorts are fully open and ready to serve guests.

Govea joined PAX on the visit to the Cayo Coco's, but returned to Cuba from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, this time to inspect Cayo Santa Maria. At the time of PAX’s visit, that part of the island was closed, as the connecting causeway had been destroyed by Hurricane Irma.

“Meliá Las Dunas, Valentín Perla Blanca, Ocean Casa del Mar, Meliá Cayo Santa María, Meliá Buena Vista, Dolphinarium, Marina Gaviota, Las Terrazas Mall, Starfish Cayo Santa María, Royalton Cayo Santa María (all of them in Cayo Santa María), Iberostar Ensenachos (in Ensenachos Key) and Dhawa Cayo Santa María (in Las Brujas Key) were among the facilities I was able to visit and all of them are in excellent shape,” Govea told PAX. “All of them look, and are effectively operating like brand-new properties; the painting, A/C, vegetation, beaches, shades, pools, and restaurants really are better than ever.”

In order to have Cuba ready for Canadians this winter season, several new properties that were slated to open by the end of this year have been pushed back to 2018. “One of the key decisions taken in Cuba that permitted getting the affected destinations recovered in such a speedy way was to halt all new developments in order to concentrate all available forces to support the main task of getting back on our feet asap. Thus, Grand Muthu in Cayo Guillermo and Sercotel Experience in Cayo Santa María, for example, that were slated to open this month of November, have respectfully delayed their opening dates until 2018.”

Hurricane season wraps up in Cuba towards the end of November, and sunny skies lie ahead. Major roadways, transportation services, power distribution and telecommunications have been restored to tourist areas and resorts along Cuba’s northern coast.

“Cuba has already received four million visitors, and reached that landmark 54 days earlier than in 2016,” Govea said. “This month, Canada accounts for one million passengers [to Cuba], for the 7th consecutive year; consolidating its status as the third destination for Canadians in the world and the first in the Caribbean. Overall, Cuba is growing more than 20 per cent year over year, and it is forecasted that we will have 4.7 million visitors at the end of 2017.”

Dominica

Hurricane Maria paid a visit to the tiny island of Dominica as a Category 5 storm, and claimed the lives of at least 27 people. The aftermath of the hurricane can be felt around the island, but Dominica is rebuilding, and looking to the future.

As of mid-October, main roadways had been cleared, and several government institutions and all banks were open for business. Though debris remains in certain areas, the Discover Dominica Authority reports that most roads are safe for driving and motorists are advised to proceed with caution in certain areas.

Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal have been working together to make the island welcoming for tourists once more. Discover Dominica Authority launched a blog, www.dominicaupdate.com that will provide regular updates on products and services as they become available.

Accommodations

Before Hurricane Maria came to the island, Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) had a record of 73 properties and 909 guest rooms. As of Oct. 17, 2017, 64 of those properties have been reassessed for hurricane damage. DDA states that the assessments show that 32 properties are moderately damaged and able to operate now or in the near future. Unfortunately, it’s been addressed that 27 properties were severely damaged, or destroyed by the hurricane with major structural and electrical damage. Properties that suffered moderate damage make up just over half of the total rooms located in Dominica, or 467 guestrooms.

According to the DDA blog, “the following properties are opened to welcome visitors: Atlantique View Resort, Caribbean Seaview Apartments, Classique International Guest House, Coffeeriver Cottages, Hibiscus Valley Inn, Picard Family Guest House, Pointe Baptiste Guest House, Portsmouth Beach Hotel, Rejens Hotel, Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge, St. James Guest House, Suite Pepper Cottage, Sunset Bay Club, and Tamarind Tree Hotel.”

Dominica's largest hotel, the Fort Young Hotel, is planning to reopen Jan. 15, 2018, with 41 of its 72 rooms available for booking. In addition to the 41 rooms, many of the hotel’s core amenities, including its pool, Warner’s Bar and one of its meeting facilities are expected to be operational. Guests can enjoy many of the hotel’s on-property activities and nearby excursions, including diving, snorkeling, canyoning, fishing and hiking among others.

Natural attractions

Due to the sheer strength of Hurricane Maria, sadly, much of Dominica’s natural attractions were badly damaged. Overall, 35 per cent of reefs at dive sites were damaged, particularly sponges and softer corals above 45 feet. Currently, all ten dive operators in Dominica are closed for business and most will not be open to visitors prior to Jan. 2018. Even once the dive shops reopen, dive frequencies will be reduced to ease the strain on the fragile reefs as they too, work to rebuild.

Air traffic

Dominica’s latest post-Hurricane Maria press release came out on Oct. 30, 2017 on the new blog, www.dominicaupdate.com. In terms of airline access into Dominica, Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines, WINAIR, and Trans Island Air have all resumed service to Douglas Charles Airport. Costal Air Transport and Express Carrier have also resumed regular services to Canefield Airport. L’Express des Iles fast ferry service is operating daily between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia. Air Canada, Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines have also resumed their services.

For more information, or the latest updates on Dominica, visit www.dominicaupdate.com