Monster hurricane Dean is still punishing Mexico, but Jamaica and other hard-hit vacation destinations are doing their best to clean up hotels, beaches and tourist attractions to get those tourist dollars flowing again as soon as possible.
Even last night we received a press release from Half Moon Resort at Rose Hall, Jamaica, saying that the resort is intact, fully operational and happy to reschedule guests (without penalty) who have already booked their vacations but might want to delay a bit. This is an excellent pro-active move on the part of Half Moon – whose management obviously understand their market and are willing to work hard to retain both their customers and the resort’s good will and reputation.
Good for you, Half Moon!
Here’s part of the release that we received..
Following the passage of Hurricane Dean this past weekend, the 400-acre resort has relaxed its cancellation policy allowing guests the flexibility of postponing their trip to Jamaica.
“While Half Moon received no structural damage and is fully operational following the storm, we are mindful that some clients may have disruptions to their travel because of cancellation of flights and other concerns due to the storm,” Mr. Whitfield said.
Guests who wish to reschedule their trip should call Half Moon’s on-site call centre at 1-800-626-0592.
4 Comments
August 21, 2007 at 10:01 pm
The Canadian gov’t has already announced an earmark of $2 million to the region for hurricane Dean recovery.
Canada Offers Help in Wake of Dean
Daniel Proussalidis
Monday, August 20, 2007
http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=2&nid=51533
Canada is offering up to $2 million in immediate aid to Caribbean countries dealing with damage from hurricane Dean.
The International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda says the money is meant for relief and recovery efforts.
Hurricane Dean has passed by the Cayman Islands as it heads toward Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
The Category 4 storm packs winds of 240 kilometres per hour.
It has already left damage behind in Jamaica.
Dean is also blamed for eight deaths in the Caribbean.[-End]
August 23, 2007 at 1:38 am
Here’s yet another example of a Tourism Minister that knows absolutely nothing about how to woo valuable tourists. Here we see Jamaica making proactive steps to bring tourists to their shores by showing that they are in a position to host their potential guests even in the aftermath of a disaster. Meanwhile here in Barbados, we pay the tourists to come to shores, but do not care whether they ever come back; visitors to our shores were subjected to a night on cold benches and on damp concrete at a leaky airport. Mind you, this is one of the airlines that our (Honorable?) Tourism Minister stood up in front of the press and proudly announced to the nation that it would be bringing these visitors to our shores , while paying them for this seemingly exceptional commitment to Barbados. Where was the airline in their time of need? They hid behind procedure and didn’t show any emotion to these visitors. Where was our Tourism Minister at this time? Probably in his bunker counting his dollars!.
We sat and did nothing while a golden opportunity to show the hospitality of Barbados was wasted. Surely the Minister for Tourism could have arranged with small hotels and taxis or tour operators look after these guests for a reduced fee, covered by the BTA or Ministry of Tourism. Cots and tents could have been requested from the army if all else failed. The goodwill extended would have paid off in a big way in terms of marketing for Barbados. The more and more I think about the people in power the more I recall Orwell’s Animal Farm. Pigs in power and lording it over the rest of the farm, who are either too scared, too deluded or just simply too happy to follow them to care.
August 23, 2007 at 4:07 am
Well guys…within 2 days I am now up and running with electricity and water. I can finally get some peaceful rest without tossing and turning in the heat of the night. I have to big up my country for taking steps to ensure that we have all our modern conveniences and creature comforts. I don’t know if it has anything to do with it being an election week…even though I doubt it based on the 2004 hurriance response..but I am eternally grateful…just need to get back my cable..let me publicly declare that effective immediately, the Weather Channel has lost ALL credibility for me. Anyway…..will catch up on my reading here….peace.
August 24, 2007 at 1:27 am
this is the second time i see a hurricane,the first was iris,in south of belize,i was at red bank village,175km south of belize city.the eye was at
independence village-
dean was passing in o.w town at 50-60km,leaving
no damage,more damge was at corozal town,and chetumal,mexico.
adios amor.
gershon sharoni.
o.w town,belize.