No Significant Damage to Hotel Sector from Hurricane Ivan

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has reported no significant damage to the hotel sector from Hurricane Ivan.
JHTA President, Godfrey Dyer told JIS News, that the hotel sector feared “very well,” with only minor structural damage to some properties.
“The hotel sector has feared much, much better than we anticipated. Only minor damage has been done to structures. We have lots of damage to trees and shrubbery, but nothing to prevent us from being back in business within the next two weeks. A few properties were closed prior to the hurricane as a precautionary measure, but all the ones that opened up will continue to be opened and cleaning up will also take place simultaneously. Within two weeks, everything will be cleaned up and we will be back fully in business”, Mr. Dyer noted.
He explained that two properties in Montego Bay and one on the south coast were closed as a precautionary measure, but now that the hurricane has passed they would be reopened.
In addition, he said, hotels in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril went beyond the call of duty to ensure that the needs of all visitors were met. “The hotels did the country proud as the tourists, who were forced to stay beyond their scheduled period were treated well. They were offered complimentary stay and reduced rates by some properties. I believe on a whole, everybody was well prepared for this. The JHTA, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Ministry of Tourism all worked closely together before, during and after the hurricane, we continue to work closely together”, Mr. Dyer stated.
He pointed out that the JTB must be congratulated for how proactive it has been and assured that within another few weeks “all tourists will want to come back to Jamaica.”
Mr. Dyer stressed that all Jamaica should now thank God for sparing the country from further devastation and loss of life. “We all have to thank God Almighty for once again sparing us because it looked as if at one stage, we would have been wiped out and the Lord intervened. Let us continue to praise him”, Mr. Dyer stressed.