Hotels are reopening and air travel is resuming in Dominica following damage the destination sustained during Hurricane Maria six weeks ago.
According to the latest update from the Discover Dominica Authority, the following hotels have reopened to visitors: Atlantique View Resort, Caribbean Seaview Apartments, Classique International Guest House, Coffeeriver Cottages, Hibiscus Valley Inn, Picard Family Guest House, Pointe Baptiste Guest House, Portsmouth Beach Hotel, Rejens Hotel, Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge, St. James Guest House, Suite Pepper Cottage, Sunset Bay Club, and Tamarind Tree Hotel.
In terms of air travel, Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines, WINAIR, and Trans Island Air have all announced resumption of services to Douglas Charles Airport. Costal Air Transport and Express Carrier have also resumed regular services to Canefield Airport. L’Express des Iles fast ferry service is operating daily between Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia.
In cruise news, Royal Caribbean reports that it expects all calls in Dominica to remain canceled through June 2018. The line is working with the local government on a return date to the destination.
The Dominica Watersports Association has reported 35 percent damage to reefs at 10 dive sites. All dive operators are closed; however, some are expected to reopen in January 2018. Once operations resume, the number of dives per site will be reduced to limit any negative impact on the fragile underwater ecosystem.
All 14 segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail remain closed. Assessments are currently being undertaken to assess the damage to the trail.
When Hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica in late September, the destination’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit reported tremendous loss of housing and public buildings, as well as heavy damage to the main general hospital.
Related Stories
Royal Caribbean’s Michael Bayley Talks Hurricanes, Agents and More
Tour Operators Look to Drive Business to Caribbean Islands Unaffected by Hurricanes
Travel Impressions President: Caribbean Tourism Should Rebound by Early '18