Little Cayman is ready to receive visitors from Thursday with some resorts open and the resumption of regular flights.
Minister Clifford tours the Brac Reef Beach Resort with its manager and SITA President Trudy Viers, Acting Director Shomari Scott, and MOT Senior staff. Photo: Submitted |
It was expected that the Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman Beach Resort and Head O’Bay were to reopen on Little Cayman today, along with resumption of regular Cayman Express flights.
Two further resorts, Pirates Point and Paradise Villas, are expected to have power by this weekend. The Conch Club Condominiums and The Club will reopen in December.
Department of Tourism Inspectors have been on the Island since last Thursday to assess tourism related businesses including accommodations, beaches, attractions and general infrastructure.
Though Paloma, which passed over the island on 8 November, packed strong winds and heavy rain, Little Cayman escaped relatively unscathed and the main issue for resorts and residents has been the restoration of power.
‘We are thankful that tourism properties in Little Cayman have been able to get back up and running so quickly,’ said Minster for Tourism Charles Clifford. ‘The main hurdle has been downed power lines and Cayman Brac Power & Light and CUC are working tirelessly to restore power so that tourism in the Sister Islands can resume once more.’
Cayman Brac was directly impacted by the storm and sustained significant damage.
Tourism properties there are undergoing assessment and recovery efforts. As assessments are completed, updates will be provided on the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s website: www.caymanislands.ky.
Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford and staff from the Ministry and Department of Tourism were on Cayman Brac this past week assessing the damage to tourism properties on island.
‘This storm has caused extensive damage to Cayman Brac’s tourism infrastructure. Given the extent of damage the vast majority of properties are unable to provide confirmed opening dates with many still focused on debris clean up at this stage,’ said the Minister.
‘Just as occurred in Grand Cayman, we want to assist the Brac’s tourism sector not only in a timely but effective recovery. The properties on the Brac will have a unique opportunity to revitalise themselves becoming more competitive than before Hurricane Paloma.’
Trudy Viers, manager of the damaged 41-room Brac Reef Beach Resort said she doesn’t have an answer for when the resort will be able to function again as they are working with the insurance company on damage assessment.
‘We have a structural engineer in gathering data and until we have all the information together we cannot make any decisions,’ she said.
All buildings at the resort have been damaged, including the guest rooms, lobby and gift shop. ‘Some have more damage than others,’ she said.
Asked if the resort will definitely re-open at some point, she said, ‘That’s absolutely the hope. The Sister Islands need tourism and the Brac Reef has been here for a long time. The ultimate hope is to re-open.
‘We’re gathering the information and hopefully can then put a plan together, but the hope is to have it up and running as soon as possible.’
Acting Director of Tourism Shomari Scott advised that DoT had stabilised its presence on Cayman Brac by increasing its full time compliment of staff from one to four with others scheduled to visit as required.
He stated a desire to see properties taking greening initiatives on board in their renovations. ‘Properties needing to be rebuilt should consider adopting a green building code, which sets out criteria for energy and resource efficiency, for example the use of alternative sources of energy and water saving equipment,’ said Mr. Scott.
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