New PATA CEO 2018-2021 confirmed
The new PATA CEO has been confirmed by the Executive Board of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
PATA has extended the contract of Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mario Hardy for a period of three years commencing January 1, 2018.
PATA Chairperson Sarah Mathews said, “I am delighted that Mario has agreed to continue as our Chief Executive Officer. Under his outstanding leadership, the Association has made considerable progress and I am confident he will continue to lead PATA and support the needs of our members. PATA remains an association dedicated to all its members and will continue to assist them in the ever-evolving landscape of tourism and travel. Mario and his team are best placed to help drive a continued period of growth.”
Dr Hardy said, “I am delighted to have an opportunity to work with our outstanding management team in building upon the PATA successes of the past three years. We still face many challenges as a membership organisation but our determination to add value to the many benefits of PATA membership is being recognised in the public and private sectors. We shall continue with our primary mission of promoting sustainable and responsibly tourism development throughout the world as we encourage travel to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.”
Mario Hardy joined PATA in 2012 as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on November 1, 2014. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PATA Foundation, a non-profit organisation with a focus on the protection of the environment, the conservation of culture and heritage, and support for education.
He worked for 26 years in specialised aviation businesses with a focus upon data analytics and technology, occupying leadership roles in Montreal, Vancouver, London, Beijing and Singapore.
In 2016, he received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Capilano University for his philanthropic work in Cambodia where he helped develop a school for underprivileged children and for his support in the development of a Community Based Tourism (CBT) project in Vietnam.
In January 2017 Mario Hardy graduated from the Singularity University, Executive Program on the subject of Exponential Technologies.
Mzembi appointed Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe
The outspoken and often referred to as the youthful Minister of Tourism for Zimbabwe, Hon. Dr. Walter Mzembi, was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs this evening.
This was the result of a cabinet reshuffle by President Mugabe.
The new Minister of Tourism and Hospitality is the Hon. E. Mbwembwe.
Edgar Mbwembwe was re-elected as the member of parliament for Chikomba East in July 2013.[When Ray Kaukonde was ousted as chairperson of Mashonaland East, Mbwembwe entered the race to succeed him against other Zanu-Pf bigwigs such as Joel Biggie Matiza and Aeneas Chigwedere. Mbwembwe lost to Matiza who was then Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Mashonaland East before being replaced by Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri. On September 11, 2015, Mbwembwe was sworn in as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Today he was appointed as the minister of Tourism and Hospitality.
The Hon. Walter Mzembi recently ran for UNWTO Secretary General position.
He is viewed as open, with a global mindset and tourism as his passion.
Foreign Minister Mzembi may be the man able to raise the bar one-hundred fold for Zimbabwe. A new era in Zimbabwe is likely to begin.
When the ZANU-PF–Movement for Democratic Change national unity government was sworn in on February 13, 2009, Mzembi became Minister of Tourism. Of paramount importance has been his role in the organizing of the UNWTO co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in August 2013. In 2017 Mzembi was the candidate of the African Union for the position of the 2018-21 Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization.
UNWTO Disaster Recovery Program Action Plan for Caribbean to be crafted at SOTIC 2017
KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 08, 2017: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will travel to Grenada this week where he will meet with key members of the Jamaica-led ‘UNWTO Disaster Recovery Working Group for the Affected States in the Caribbean’ to hammer out a recovery action plan for tourism-dependent islands recently ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Minister’s New Kingston offices on October 06, 2017 Minister Bartlett shared that, “In Grenada we will discuss the best way to assist tourism dependent member states, recently ravaged by natural disasters, at the annual State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). We will then visit the most severely impacted countries and create a plan of action which we will launch during our upcoming UNWTO global conference in Montego Bay in November.”
At the 22nd Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, held recently in Chengdu, China, Jamaica was appointed to coordinate the newly formed ‘UNWTO Disaster Recovery Working Group for the Affected States in the Caribbean’. The working group is a tourism response mechanism for member states that have been recently impacted by powerful natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes.
Minister Bartlett further shared that because islands in the region are so dependent on tourism to sustain their economies, it was important for strategies to be developed to strengthen the sector’s resilience to the effects of climate change and natural disaster, thus making it more sustainable.
“The tourism industry remains the most vital source of earnings and economic activity for most Caribbean islands, with region-wide tourism revenues estimated at over US$27 billion in 2016. The sector also expanded by an unprecedented 4.2% in 2016 as the region welcomed a historic 29 million visitors; over 1 million more visitors than in 2015. It therefore goes without saying that when our tourism sector suffers a setback, the Caribbean suffers a setback in a huge way,” the Tourism Minister noted.
During SOTIC, Minister Bartlett will also attend Caribbean Tourism Organization’s business meetings, including the CTO Council of Tourism Ministers and Commissioners on October 10, 2017. Additionally, he is expected to attend a special session on October 12 entitled “Recover and Rebuild – The future of Caribbean Tourism”, which will focus on the economic cost of disasters, including the potential impact on gross domestic product, employment, the cost to rebuild and the recovery time.
During the briefing, he also announced that he will be seeking relief financing for affected states in the region, during the Annual General Meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, slated to take place on October 13, 2017 in Washington, D.C., USA.
While in Washington, he will also participate in the World Bank Group’s high-level ministerial closed-door simulation exercise on pandemics and tourism: “Travel, Tourism and Outbreaks – A Pandemic Simulation” The exercise will help participants to better understand the disruptive effects of pandemics on tourism and explore ways to minimize unnecessary impacts.
Minister Bartlett will be accompanied by Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company and his senior advisor Dr. Lloyd Waller. They are expected to return to the island on October 14.
Terror Targets Hotels and Tourism Locations – what to do?
One day when historians of the tourism industry write about the first part of the twenty-first century they may view the week of October 1, 2017 as one of the tourism and travel industry’s harder months.
The week began with news of terrorist attacks in both France and Canada and quickly moved onto the tragedy that took place in Las Vegas.
Many people will desire to know the personal history of Stephen Paddock and what motivated him. In reality, there are other issues more important than his personal history, and the tourism industry needs to be careful not to allow itself to be seduced into spending a great deal of time on irrelevant facts. Instead, the tourism industry must concentrate on the most important issue: how do we protect visitors, locals, event attendees, employees, and security and law enforcement agents in an age of uncertainty and violence. These questions and the answers we discover are the lessons that can we learn from the Las Vegas attack. What has happened is now history, and it is our task to help the victims heal as best as they can and seek ways in which the tourism industry together with governments and law enforcement can we work together to prevent future tragedies.
Before examining the situation in Las Vegas it behooves us to review and clarify some important facts to consider.
1) There is a difference between an “acts of criminal terror” and a “terrorist act”. The former is a terrible act that hurts many people but does not have a political motivation. Terrorism, on the other hand, has a clear political motivation. Terrorism has specific goals and as such deadly acts are used as part of an overall strategy to achieve those goals. In the case of Las Vegas we know of no overall political goals. Instead, the perpetrator may well have acted for personal motives or for reasons of insanity but neither of these are political motives. Assuming that this is not a terrorist act we shall have to see it as a pure criminal act.
As this article is being written, there is no reason to assume that Stephan Paddock was anything other than a highly mentally disturbed individual. Should we learn that he had other motivations or political ties then a new analysis regarding the politics will be needed but that analysis will have little to do with enhancing both hotel and event security.
2) Hotels, and other tourism locations are soft targets in an age of terrorism. Even though at the time of this writing (October 4, 2017) it does not appear that Stephen Paddock had a terrorism connection, the fact that hotels are easy targets should become an important risk management issue. An attack on a hotel, in most cases, will receive a great deal of publicity and potentially cause a great deal of damage to human beings, to a place’s reputation and to its tourism industry. This may be one of the reasons that terrorists have attacked hotels in multiple cities around the world. The fact that hotels have been targeted internationally means that no matter what the reason, hotels and other places of lodging are going to have to have to be creative in how they protect their guests and property.
3) In most cases, architects designed hotels in the western nations during periods of less violence. Many of these hotels are quite beautiful but also difficult to protect. For example, hotels with rooms overlooking ground floor atriums are challenges for security personnel. In a like manner, reception or check-in areas were designed not with security in mind but for customer satisfaction and ease of meetings. The same is true of both valet and self-parking areas. The heightened need for greater security means that many hotels, and other tourism installations such as stadiums, will need to be retrofitted. Remodeling these structures is both a difficult and expensive process and may take some time to accomplish.
4) In our new age, hotels and other tourism industry locations such as stadiums, museums, and transportation terminals must become aware of a whole series of new potentially devastating weapons of attacks. These include the use of biochemical weapons, drones, and cyber attacks that can literally bring a hotel to a stoppage. Furthermore, attack weapons continue to be available in smaller sizes, and this “miniturization” means that any of these weapons may be harder to detect. As we look into the future, hotel security personnel must become aware of nanotechnology and the fact that powerful weapons can be contained in extremely small spaces.
5) No matter what we do, there is no total security. We can lessen the chance of danger, injury, or death, but no matter what we do, there will always be a risk.
Looking to the future
In order to ease public concerns, some immediate steps should be considered. These are not long-term solutions but act as immediate solutions. Among these are:
- High coordination between law enforcement and hotel security personnel. For example, Las Vegas’ police department (Metro) has extremely close relations with its hotel industry and those relations helped to save many lives. Its officers should be commended for their bravery and the outstanding job which they performed.
- Upgrading the security industry. Security can no longer be seen as merely a great deal of muscle. Security personnel must be trained in a number of psychological and sociological analytics. This means increased budgets, increased attendance at security conferences such as the annual Las Vegas international Safety and Security Conference (to be held in April of 2018), and increase updating of the security issues on both the macro and the micro level. In today’s world, a criminal or a terrorist can easily slip across borders or travel across oceans.
- Baggage inspection. It may be impossible to inspect every bag, and even hotels can inspect every bag, there is nothing from preventing a guest to bring in a weapon at a later time or simply under his or her clothing. However, there is much that can be done by using high levels of creativity. For example, it may be necessary to use trained dogs and obtain other technical devices that “smell trouble”. The tourism industry should be working with entrepreneurs to create new less invasive methods that permit privacy but at the same time detect threats and potential problems.
- Training hotel staffs to be the front line of security. This training may include everything from questioning why a “do not disturb “ sign is on a room door for more than a few hours to notifying security if some seems or smells amiss. Frontline personnel are the eyes and ears of a tourism entity such as a hotel.
- The tourism and the security industry must be careful not to become overly reactive to the “last” event. What occurred in Las Vegas is now history. It is essential to help the victims rebuild their lives to the best extent possible. Tourism officials, none the less, need to prepare for future events and think through how the tourism industry will face future challenges not yet considered. It would do everyone in tourism to consider how an act of terrorism or a criminal act may impact all sectors of a local industry. The bottom line is that what occurred in Las Vegas can occur in almost any city or resort around the world. All of us must be careful not to politicize a tragedy but learn from it and then seek to understand future problems and find ways to mitigate these risks with diligence and clarity of thought and purpose.
Dr. Peter Tarlow is an expert on tourism security and economic development. He is also a contributor for eTN.His email is [email protected]
Jamaican minister Bartlett leads UNWTO’s efforts to assist in region’s recovery
Jamaica continues to extend our thoughts and prayers to our Caribbean brothers and sisters, especially residents in those islands that took a direct hit from the recent hurricanes and to everyone who has been or will be affected as a result of these catastrophic storms.
We recognize that the entire Caribbean region will be adversely impacted by the lasting results of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and have set a course of action that is designed to minimize the long-term effect on the region.
We acknowledge, with thanks, receipt from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), the periodic status reports issued in cooperation with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and applaud the efforts at assisting the region and ensuring that timely and accurate information is disseminated.
We are aware that CTO and CDEMA technical teams have been on the ground in the various islands doing rapid needs assessments and coordinating with the national authorities in managing the various interventions, to mitigate the pain and hardships that are so pervasive at this time.
As a direct result of these unprecedented hurricanes, a meeting was convened by the World Tourism Organization – the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism (UNWTO) – at the General Assembly in Chengdu, China on 13 September, 2017. There were some 10 countries from the Caribbean and Latin America represented at the meeting – Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Costa, Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela – in addition to representatives from the USA, France, Spain, the Netherlands, the UNWTO and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean member of the UNWTO, was absent from the general assembly.
The outcome of that meeting was a decision to assist in the Caribbean natural disaster risk management and response initiatives and to include in the programme for the UNWTO, Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism in Montego Bay, Jamaica from 27-29 November, an opportunity for all interested parties to discuss and implement a plan of action.
As a proud host of this important global summit, Jamaica is honoured that the UNWTO has asked that I coordinate its involvement in this recovery effort for the region. The first step therefore was to reach out to the regional tourism organizations – CTO, CHTA and CDEMA – to brainstorm opportunities for collaboration.
WTM Responsible Tourism Award: Who are the 12 finalists?
On the list of finalists this year is a game lodge in Botswana, a fynbos protected area in South Africa, a social enterprise in Vietnam, a tour operator working to benefit local communities in Limpopo, a European city, a group of guest cottages in Kangaroo Valley in Australia and a company enabling travellers to walk from village to village in rural India. The 12 finalists now need to wait until the Awards ceremony at WTM London to discover who this year’s chosen leaders are.
Six “Leaders in Demonstrating Responsible Tourism Impact” will be announced at WTM London on World Responsible Tourism Day. They will each represent the company, organisation or destination that the judges consider has shown the most significant impact across five categories, each of which is tied to one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
For 2017, these categories are: Best for Carbon Reduction, Best for Accommodation, Best Community Initiative, Best for Communication, Best Tour Operator, and Best for Poverty Reduction.
2017 is the first time that the awards have been run by WTM, which takes over from responsibletravel.com after thirteen successful years. This year, the awards will be presented by Tanya Beckett, who presents Talking Business on the BBC News Channel.
Commenting on the standard of the finalists, Chair of Judges, Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin said:
“This year we have discovered some new and innovative approaches to demonstrating the contributions which tourism makes to sustainable development.
“I was chair of the judges for the 13 years of the World Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com. When they decided to cease running the Awards I was delighted that WTM London stepped up to continue them.
“This is a major year of change with a new organiser and a focus in the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development on the UN’S Sustainable Development Goals – we shall be publishing some great examples of how businesses have met the new challenge of transparently reporting their impacts and communicating them to stakeholders”.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday 8th November 2017 at a ceremony at WTM London, where over 500 tourism professionals, tourism ministers and media representatives are expected to attend.
WTM London, Senior Exhibition Director, and fellow judge Simon Press said: “Once again the World Responsible Tourism Awards will be a key part of the opening of World Responsible Tourism Day at WTM London. The stories of the winners and their achievements act as a benchmark and inspiration for what the global travel and tourism industry can achieve in responsible tourism practice.”
The WTM Responsible Tourism Day – Opening and Awards takes place from 11:00-13:00 on 8 November in WTM Global Stage – AS1050
The full list of 2017 finalists is:
v Chobe Game Lodge
v Crystal Creek
v Grootbos
v Green Tourism Business Scheme
v Kumarakom
v Ol Pejeta
v Marine Dynamics
v Sapa o Chau
v Ljubljana
v Transfrontier Parks Destinations
v TUI Cruises
v Village Ways
Speechless: UNWTO and WTTC on Las Vegas tourism mass murder
It’s surprising the worlds largest tourism organizations and leaders in world tourism, UNWTO and WTTC did not react very much to one of the toughest two weeks in travel and tourism for a long time. WTTC issued this statement on their website,:
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is deeply shocked and saddened by the shooting in Las Vegas earlier today. Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “I send my heartfelt condolences to all the friends and families of the victims and those hurt in this callous attack in Las Vegas. We stand strong and united with the people of Las Vegas as they go through these difficult times. On behalf of the Travel & Tourism sector we offer our full support to the city, one of the United States’ most thriving tourist destinations as WTTC experienced during our Global Summit in 2011, as it will come to terms with the aftermath of this attack.”
There is a lot going on. Caribbean, Mexico, Guam, South Korea, Catalonia and now Los Vegas – tourism is under global attack. Challenging times are emerging after the first Caribbean Crisis committee met at the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China last month.
Maybe it’s time for a global tourism crisis committee to be formed to address such problems and coordinate with UNWTO, WTTC and the many other important organizations.
Not one country issued a travel warning for the United States. It can only be hoped this is a new trendsetter and the United States also will refrain from issuing travel warnings at future terror incidents in Europe or other regions. Travel warnings won’t resolve the issue, and they would make it worse. The world should push the US for gun control. This is a problem getting completely out of hand. What could be the logical reason for the 2nd Amendment in the year 2017?
Many organizations did have something to say, including the International Nightlife Association, said they strongly condemn the shooting occurred near the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada (U.S.A.). At the same time, we express our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims in this tragic moment as they seek to recover from this deeply disturbing tragedy. For this reason, the International Nightlife Association will lead a moment of silence at the International Nightlife Congress to be held next week in Ibiza (Spain) in order to honor its victims and as a signal of protest as the nightlife image has been unfairly and cowardly targeted once again with innocent people involved.
Once more, after the attacks in Bataclan in Paris, Club Pulse in Orlando and Club Reina in Istanbul the nightlife sector has been hit once again with a cowardly act of violence involving firearms. We stand here in moral indignation and are, at the same time, filled with a huge sense of powerlessness since at least 50 innocent people have been killed and at least 400 others seriously injured while enjoying nightlife, generating a false sensation that nightlife is unsafe when it is not, as the tragic events have been due to an unavoidable cowardly attack.
At the same time we feel great indignation as events like these seriously damage the image and the prestige of the territory where they happen, which is unfair but a constant reality. Las Vegas, where we celebrate our international congress alternatively every two years, is precisely one of the safest and most pregistous places for nightlife entertainment in the world.
Next week is IMEX time. IMEX America and Meeting and Incentive travel professionals from around the globe will meet in Las Vegas.
eTN is standing by at our stand in Las Vegas for feedback.
IBM to present at Caribbean State of the Tourism Industry Conference
The American multinational technology company IBM will present at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) which opens in Grenada next week.
IBM’s global industry leader responsible for hospitality and travel related services, Greg Land, will be part of a panel which explores ways in which the Caribbean can use technology creatively to enhance the visitor experience and successfully sell destinations.
As part of his presentation Mr. Land will focus on Watson, IBM’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform, and how Caribbean destinations and businesses can utilise AI in decision making and to engage visitors.
The session, entitled, Active Engagement: Riding the Technological Wave, will also include presentations by Amrita Gurney, the head of marketing at CrowdRiff, a Canadian visual marketing platform used by tourism brands, and Oliver Gale, the founder of Bitt, a Barbados-based financial company that uses blockchain technology for online money transfers using any form of currency.
This session runs from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Friday 13 October, the final day of the conference, which will have Super Bowl winner Dorsey Levin as the keynote speaker.
“I will focus on rapid rebound and will also touch on how to take control of life without excuses and how to navigate successfully through stressful situations and keep moving forward. I would like nothing more than to motivate and inspire delegates to get back on track after the damage caused by the hurricanes,” Levens said.
The conference has as its theme, Supercharging the Brand: Meeting the Needs of the New Explorers, and in the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on some member countries, the CTO is adding a special session to the SOTIC programme that will focus on how to recover and rebuild after a major disaster.
The four-hour session on Thursday 12 October is designed to explore and examine the issues and key recommendations to be considered as the Caribbean rebuilds after the monstrous category five storms, in particular, or other natural disasters it might face in the future.
It will focus on the economic cost of the disasters, including potential impact on gross domestic product, employment, the cost to rebuild and recovery time.
The State of the Tourism Industry Conference is being organised by the CTO in collaboration with the Grenada Tourism Authority and Grenada’s ministry of tourism, and will be held from 10-13 October at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort. The conference will be preceded by business meetings on 9 and 10 October.
Other key conference sessions include Infusing Dynamism in Caribbean Tourism, Who are the New Explorers, Business Models that Rock, Turning Our Waters Into Goldmines – Investing in the Blue Economy, and Spicing Up the Caribbean Brand.
The highly anticipated tourism youth congress and a Stakeholders Speak Out session are also part of the program.
PATA Micronesia Chapter Wins 2017 Award of Excellence
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced the 2017 Award of Excellence was presented to the PATA Micronesia Chapter for their outstanding work promoting the region. PATA Micronesia was recognized for their unique approach to marketing the diverse and expansive region, which encompasses 2,100 islands spread over 2.9 million square miles of Pacific Ocean, “the blue continent.”
The Micronesia Chapter was recognized for its unique creation of interactive experiences at major global travel trade shows in core markets, developing face-to-face personal interaction with potential visitors and travel planners. The chapter also capitalized on focused use of digital and social media campaigns to share Micronesia’s diverse culture, hospitable people, and incredible natural beauty.
PATA Micronesia is the only chapter in the internationally acclaimed organization to represent more than one destination, which includes the islands groups of the Northern Marianas, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshalls, and Guam. “The PATA Micronesia Chapter, led by Guam, USA, is amongst the most community engaged chapters within the organization,” said Dr. Mario Hardy, PATA CEO.
“In the true spirit of PATA, they regularly reach out to their various constituents, providing assistance and guidance in their endeavor to promote the responsible and sustainable development of the travel and tourism industry. Furthermore, they also regularly engage with PATA members globally and other chapters in their efforts to further the agenda of the entire organization,” said Hardy.
The Chapter was recognized for its creativity in representing the region globally, winning booth display awards and capturing mass audience appeal with cultural presentations and training opportunities for travel industry professionals. PATA Micronesia also expanded into new markets in 2016, like the LGBTQ travel community, building on Guam and the CNMI’s recognition of same-sex marriage.
“It is an honor to be recognized by PATA for the work we do in Micronesia,” said PATA Micronesia Chapter Chairwoman Pilar Laguaña. “PATA Micronesia is more than the only Chapter representing multiple destinations, we’re spread over millions of miles of ocean. It’s a challenge to effectively capture and share with the world what makes each island destination so special in a single, unified message. This award is an affirmation to our Chapter that our efforts are recognized for their effectiveness in representing our vast, diverse region.”
This is the third Award of Excellence bestowed on the PATA Micronesia Chapter. The Chapter was first recognized in 2004, for its commitment to communication strategies within Micronesia, and again in 2010, for its use of social media and impressive branding strategies.
About PATA Micronesia
The PATA Micronesia chapter membership is comprised of national and state tourism offices, hotels/motels/accommodations, airlines, car rental companies, media, optional tours, restaurants/bars/nightclubs, retail/wholesale outlets, travel agencies, and more. The organization assists in the development of the regional tourism industry with strategies that are environmentally sensitive, respect Micronesian cultures, adhere to high operational standards and provide opportunity for education, training and gainful employment among the resident populations of its Micronesian membership, For more information about PATA Micronesia, visitwww.MicronesiaTour.com or contact the PATA Micronesia Chapter Treasurer Ms. Judy Torres at[email protected].
CTO and CHTA issue Caribbean post-hurricane update
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) continue to receive updates from member countries and hotels regarding the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the northern Caribbean and Leeward Islands.
The CTO Relief Fund (a 501 c3) helps families and countries rebuild after hurricanes, with monies raided being sent directly to CTO-member destinations affected by the hurricanes.
Anguilla
The government has announced that recovery from Hurricane Irma is proceeding at an extraordinary pace. Phone and internet communications have been restored to most parts of the island. Roads and beaches have been cleared, there are no longer queues at petrol stations, and grocery stores are well provisioned. Many local restaurants have reopened, along with a number of hotels that are housing relief workers and UK government officials. Significant progress is also being made on the restoration of the electricity grid; power lines to many villages on the central line through Crocus Hill and The Valley have been restored in the three weeks following Irma.
Chief minister, Victor Banks, has announced that plans are in place for the expansion of the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) and the reconstruction of the Blowing Point ferry terminal.
The British government has indicated that in short order they will be responding to the need to expand the airport. A team from the British Corps of Royal Engineers will oversee the project to extend the runway by 600 feet from its current 5,400 feet. The airport will remain open to private and commercial aircraft during this planned expansion period.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the terminal at Blowing Point will be demolished. Architectural plans have already been commissioned for the design and construction of the new facility. Construction is expected to begin shortly, at which point a more detailed timeline will be provided.
Seaborne Airlines has also announced the resumption of service between Anguilla and San Juan beginning today, 30 September, departing San Juan at 12:10pm to arrive in Anguilla at1:15pm and departing Anguilla at 1:45pm to arrive in San Juan at 2:50pm
N.B. Seaborne Airlines also announced on its Facebook page that it will resume service today, 30 September to Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, and to St Thomas on 2 October.
Anguilla latest hotel updates
• Carimar Beach Club: Grand re-opening is planned for 21 December.
• CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa: As assessment continues, it is anticipated the resort will remained closed for restoration through the summer of 2018.
• Four Seasons Resort & Residences Anguilla: will not reopen before the end of 2017. Frangipani Beach Resort: annual opening date has been pushed back to December 2017
British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board remains focused on rebuilding a stronger territory and tourism product and officials on the ground are continuing their full assessment of the tourism industry, and will share updates as they become available.
As of 29 September, there are several charter operators that have announced they will be operating during the winter 2017/2018 season including:
● The Moorings: December 2017
● Marine Max Vacations: December 2017
● Festiva Sailing: December 2017
● Horizon Yacht Charters: January 2018
“Through the BVI Ports Authority, we are on a fast track towards the restoration of Tortola Pier Park’s cruise and shopping facility with a targeted date of reopening at least 50 per cent of retail and food and beverage stores by 1 November,” Mark Vanterpool, the minister of communications and works said.
A majority of the hotels in the territory are currently closed and will share updates after more extensive assessments in the coming weeks.
Nearby Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St Thomas reopened on 28 September, and BVI ferry companies (Road Town Fast Ferry and Native Son) have resumed operations between the islands allowing BVI Islanders, residents and work permit holders to return to the country.
Dominica
The ferry company L’Express Des Iles has resumed service between Dominica and Saint Lucia. While there is no service today, 30 September, beginning tomorrow there will be daily service through to Friday 6 October, although there will be return service only tomorrow 1 October and Friday 6 October. On the remaining days, service will be one way only, either from or to Dominica.
The government has announced that Calls may fax and telephone landline services are back up in the northern town of Portsmouth, and that the main Princess Margaret Hospital continues to function, along with most of the major type 3 healthcare centres on island. However, it says only some of the wards are currently functional and occupied, water and electricity have been partially restored and only emergency/life-saving surgical procedures are being performed..
Latest hotel updates:
• Fort Young Hotel: Closed. No word yet on a possible reopening date.
• Secret Bay Dominica: Damage assessments are under way and an update is expected soon on restoration of grounds and structures.
• Rosalie Bay Resort – A nature and Wellness Resort – Once communication is restored, updates will be provided as they become available.
Cuba
Minister of tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz is quoted by the official Granma newspaper as saying Cuba will be ready for the high tourist season without a trace of Hurricane Irma. The minister met with 160 tour operators last week at Varadero’s Plaza América convention centre.
He said power, water, and communications were restored in 100 per cent of the country’s tourist resorts, including the northern Santa María, Coco and Guillermo keys, and that tourism facilities in the territories of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Cienfuegos, Mayabeque, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río, did not suffer any damage, and have been operating without any difficulties.
He described the damage suffered by facilities in Sancti Spíritus, especially in the north, Las Tunas, the northern coast of the province of Holguín, and Camagüey, as minor, while the damage in Havana and Varadero as minimal.
According to Granma, the minister said of the 18 hotels located on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, the latter of which suffered less damage, 14 will be fully recovered by 1 November, while the local airport will also be fully operational, and in better condition than before the hurricane struck. The remaining four hotel facilities will be completely restored to reopen their doors by 15 November.
The minister explained that all extra-hotel activities in Cayo Coco will be restored and back in operation between 15 and 20 October, including its marina, dolphinarium, glass tower, and beach huts, and that hotels on Cayo Santa María are expected to be fully operational by 15 November.
Of the 52 hotels in the country’s main tourist destination of Varadero, all except five are open, and the minister said: “By 30 October, there will not be a trace of the hurricane in Varadero.”
He reported a 50 per cent drop in arrivals in September due to the hurricane, but through 22 September, the country had received 3.6 million tourists, 24 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year.
Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) said it continues to work with state and federal government agencies and is collaborating with industry partners to assess the impact of Hurricane Maria.
The resumption of normal flight operations at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is being delayed for safety reasons due to radar functionality limitations impacting the number of arrivals and departures. The airport is operational again but on a limited schedule from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. There are approximately twelve commercial flights scheduled daily. International flights have not yet been authorized. Airport authorities are working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resolve this situation while ensuring safe operations.
The following airports are operational and offering limited service:
• Rafael Hernández Airport (Aguadilla)
• Mercedita Airport (Ponce)
• José Aponte de la Torre Airport (Ceiba)
• Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (Isla Grande)
• Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport (Vieques)
Travellers should contact airlines directly for the most up-to-date information specific to each traveller’s circumstances.
The following ports are open with restrictions (daylight transit only):
• Guayanilla
• Tallaboa
• Salinas
• San Juan Harbor
• Fajardo
• Culebra
• Vieques
• Guayama
The following hotels are closed, therefore they are not taking new reservations until further notice. Contact the hotel directly for rebooking.
• Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• W Retreat & Spa in Vieques
• Gran Melia
• Coral by the Sea Hotel
• Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa (planning to reopen at the end of the year)
• Royal Isabela
The following hotels are open, but are not taking new reservations prior to 15 October:
• Hyatt Place San Juan
• Hyatt House San Juan
• Verdanza Hotel
The following hotels are open, but are not taking new reservations prior to 22 October:
• Hyatt Hacienda del Mar (Dorado)
• Hotel El Convento
• Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
• Condado Vanderbilt Hotel
• AC Hotel by Marriott San Juan Condado
• La Concha Resort
• InterContinental San Juan in Isla Verde
• San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
• The Wave Hotel
• Holiday Inn Express San Juan Condado Hotel by IHG
• Canario Boutique Hotel
• Coral Princess Hotel
• At Wind Chimes Boutique Hotel
• Best Western Condado Palm Inn & Suites
• Comfort Inn San Juan
• Hotel Miramar
• Hotel Villa Montaña & Spa
The following hotels are not accepting existing or new reservations through 31 October:
• Caribe Hilton
• The Condado Plaza Hilton
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Dorado del Mar Beach Resort
• Embassy Suites by Hilton San Juan Hotel & Casino
• Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
• Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan
• El San Juan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Juan
• El Conquistador, a Waldorf Astoria Resort (no longer accepting existing or new reservations through 31 December)
St. Barthelemy:
Latest hotel updates:
• Eden Roc has advised that due to the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, the hotel’s reopening, planned for October after its annual closure, is postponed until further notice.
• Hotel Christopher St Barth: currently closed with no reopening date set.
• Hotel Le Toiny: currently closed with no reopening date set.
• Le Guanahani: currently closed with a reopening set for Summer 2018.
St. Maarten (Dutch)
Minister of Aviation Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher told The Daily Herald this week that the management of Princess Juliana International Airport was still carrying out in-depth assessments of the internal and external facilities, the majority of which suffered heavy to severe damage. The minister estimated the airport would not be back at full operation capacity “in all its glory” for another 35 weeks, but woud be able to function optimally much sooner than that.
The entire airport perimeter fencing was destroyed and all four jet bridges sustained substantial structural damage. The swing cabs were blown off all four bridges and all metal entrance doors attached between the bridges and the terminal building were blown in.
All runway and taxiway lights and precision approach path indicators were destroyed. The shoulders and a section of the runway were under water due.
The majority of the roof was destroyed in the terminal building exposing the terminal to outdoor elements with water found on all four levels of the terminal.
There is no official date for the resumption of commercial flights into St. Maarten, according to the minister.
Latest hotel updates:
• Royal Islander Club: Hotel and insurance adjusters are assessing the full extent of the damage. Royal Islander Club La Plage and La Terrasse will be closed through the end of 2017.
• Coral Beach Club / Oyster Bay Beach Resort: Oyster Bay Beach Resort and the sister property Coral Beach Club are currently closed until the completion of repairs
• Sonesta Resorts: Suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma. Started to process refunds for 2017 reservations with refunds issued progressively based on the date of travel. Refunds will continue through 31 March, 2018.
• Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach: currently closed.
St. Martin (French)
• Alamanda Resort: Will reopen for Autumn 2018
• Belmond La Samanna: does not anticipate opening until at least April 2018.
• La Playa – Orient Bay: currently closed
Turks & Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is making a strong and speedy recovery following the passage of Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Maria did little to delay the rebuilding, and additional damage was minimal across most of the TCI’s eight inhabited islands.
Providenciales, which is the most developed of the islands and where 90% of the population lives, is on a steady path to complete restoration in the coming days, with additional islands in the archipelago close behind.
Currently, water and power have been restored in Providenciales, North & Middle Caicos and South Caicos with needs being addressed on other islands. All roads on these islands have been cleared and as of 23 September, Providenciales International Airport and Grand Turk International airport were back to full operation and all flights in and out have resumed.
Many hotels and resorts are already welcoming guests, including Seven Stars, The Atrium, Caribbean Paradise Inn, Grace Bay Suites, The Sands and Somerset and Windsong.
Additional hotels have set opening dates that run now through the end of the year as follows:
• 30 September 30: The Shore Club, The Palms, Regent Grand, Grace Bay Club
• 1 October: West Bay Club, Villa Del Mar, The Venetian, The Tuscany, Reef Residences
• 5 October 5: Gansevoort
• 12 October: Ocean Club West
• 16 October: Coral Gardens
• 20 October: Amanyara
• 1 November: Blue Haven, Beach House, Royal West Indies, Meridian Club
• 15 November: Alexandra Resort
• 20 November: Ocean Club
• 25 November: Ports of Call
• 30 November: Club Med
• TBD November: Point Grace
• 14 December: Beaches
• TBD December: Sail Rock
Shops and restaurants are also largely open and welcoming local guests and visitors through their doors.
U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas)
Governor Kenneth E. Mapp reported that St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King Airport opened to commercial flights as planned on Thursday, with both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines operating services to the mainland United States.
The restoration of power, he added, was “inching its way forward”, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency, working with local counterparts, was progressing with its provision of water to homes.
The governor said cruise ships would like to return to St. Thomas and St. Croix as soon as 15 October, but that late October is a more realistic target. A formal announcement from the cruise lines and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government is expected next week.
Several businesses that serve cruise ship passengers are prepared to welcome visitors. Pash Daswani, President of the India Association, stated that association members who own Charlotte Amalie businesses are fully operational.
Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said the cruise lines have requested a status report on beaches and other attractions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and that representatives would soon visit to assess sites in the territory so they can start scheduling cruise calls.
The West Indian Company Limited (WICO), which manages St. Thomas’ main cruise pier, was largely undamaged by the storm, according to WICO CEO Clifford Graham.
Latest hotel information is as follows:
• Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino: The resort will be closed until the end of the year. Please contact the resort via email for reservations booked directly on the website or by phone.
• Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa: The resort is closed until further notice. Marriott International has established a resource line for those looking for information about guests and associates who may have been impacted by the hurricane and for information regarding existing reservations. The number is (866) 211-4610. For those calling outside the U.S. and Canada, the number is +1 402-390-3265. The resource line is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET).
• Sand Castle On The Beach: Cannot accept reservations until essential services are restored.
• Sugar Bay Resort Club & Resort: currently closed.
• The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas: The resort is currently closed. It is waiving hotel cancellation and change fees for specific arrival dates and customers should call 1-800-228-9290 for more information about their reservations. Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about their reservations should call the Marriott toll-free number in their country.
• The Westin St. John: will remain closed throughout 2017.
• Margaritaville St. Thomas: closed until 10 October
• Bluebeard’s Castle Resort: closed until 10 October
• Elysian Beach Resort: closed until 10 October
• World Mark St. Thomas – Elysian Beach Resort: closed until 10 October
• Cottages by the Sea: Accepting reservations after 1 October
• Bolongo Bay Beach Resort: Anticipates reopening second to third week of December
• Caneel Bay: closed for the remainder of 2017. Further updates for 2018 will become available in due course.
• The Palms At Pelican Cove: currently closed and assessing damage
• The Bucaneer: guests who are scheduled to arrive before November are advised to reschedule or cancel with no hotel penalty.
• Club Comanche Hotel: reopened 26 September
• Estate Lindholm: Will reopen 1 December
• Gallows Point Resort: Plans to be open for guests by Thanksgiving and fully operational by Christmas Eve. Guests who previously booked reservations during this time may reschedule or cancel their trip without penalty before 15 December.
• Emerald Beach Resort: not taking hotel guests until mid-November
• Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort: currently closed. Hotel cancellation and change fees for specific arrival dates will be waived. Customers should call 1-800-228-9290 for more information about their reservations. Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about their reservations should call the Marriott toll-free number in their country.
• Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Villas: currently being assessed.
• Point Pleasant Resort: Not accepting reservations for arrival through 15 November.
• Secret Harbour Beach Resort: closed and not taking reservations at this time. An update with be provided 10 October.
• Windward Passage: closed until further notice.