Hurricane Irma affecting Caribbean Residents for Months
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism contributed a significant $56 billion to the Caribbean's GDP last year, accounting for about 15% of its total. Gloria Guevara, the President and CEO of the Tourism Commission, acknowledged the importance of the sector, stating, "This is a very significant economic activity for the region." Hurricanes can have drastic effects, and as Guevara noted, Irma was no exception.
The storm passed through St. Maarten, St. Barthelemy, Barbuda, and other islands, resulting in at least nine fatalities. In Antigua and Barbuda, Premier Mark Brantley declared that Barbuda was practically uninhabitable and that almost all buildings had been damaged. Puerto Rico, while not directly hit, experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
The devastation in the affected areas was extensive, with some infrastructures and services impacted. For instance, Grand Bahama is still recovering from damages inflicted by Hurricane Matthew last year, with two hotels still closed, leading to unemployment for many.
The estimated damage caused by Matthew on the Bahamas is projected to fall between $60 million and $600 million US Dollars [1][3]. Ron Jackson, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency's Executive Director, admitted that it would take several weeks to assess the damage caused by Irma and estimate the costs.
However, some experts worry that Irma's impact might linger for months [2][3]. The Caribbean's tourist season runs until December, and if the damage persists, it could lead to a decline in visitor numbers. For local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, this could mean a prolonged period of reduced revenue and increased financial difficulty.
The damage caused by hurricanes can take a toll on tourism-dependent economies, impacting not only businesses but also everyday locals who rely on small businesses for their livelihoods.
Sources:
- [un.org/sustainabledevelopment/focus-areas/ocean-and-coastal-planning-and-resilience)
