Caribbean Islands One Year After Irma

Hospitality management company WIMCO recently put together a report on the status of properties in the Caribbean one year after Hurricane Irma. The report combined data on WIMCO’s own properties, as well as first-hand accounts from on-the-ground teams on what travelers can expect on each island.

On St. Barths, WIMCO reports nearly 100 percent of its 355 villas are open as of Nov. 1, and 84 percent of its hotel rooms are open. On-the-ground teams reported, “…It was as though nothing ever happened. Boutique shop windows had colorful displays, there were plenty of options for dining out and, for the most part, the grocery stores were full.”

On Anguilla, all of the company’s hotels are now reopen, as are the most-frequented restaurants in high-traffic tourist areas. However, the impact of the hurricane can still be spotted throughout the island, with some downed trees and shrubbery still not cleaned up and traditional housing still in need of repair.

On St. Martin, less than half of the 100 villas WIMCO represents are open. “No, there are not piles of debris along the road as you drive through French St. Martin, however there is evidence of many buildings still under repair and damaged. These will take time to be back to normal,” the report noted. “As long as [travelers] know what they are getting into and want to go to St. Martin, we think they will have a good time, and feel good about helping to support the island’s economy.”

On St. John and the British Virgin Islands, WIMCO reports further progress occurring over the winter months, with hopes of more property re-openings in the next few months.