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Since Monday, many eyes have been on Hurricane Gustav as it barrels through the Caribbean and causes havoc for locals and tourists alike.
It’s not unexpected to have a storm like this at this time of year, and Gustav is the third hurricane of the 2008 season, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle. The effects of Gustav are devastating, both in terms of tragic losses of human life, and economy damaging losses due to damage and lost income from tourists.
Preparations and Warnings in the Caribbean
The Cayman Islands have basically been closed for business since Wednesday. Additional flights were put on to enable tourists who were there to return home before the hurricane hit, and no further tourists will be allowed onto the islands until the risk has passed.
In Jamaica, responses have included diverting cruise ships to safer ports (mostly in Mexico) as well as issuing general alerts and warnings.
Gustav Makes Landfall in Haiti
The poor nation of Haiti has had the worst experience of Gustav so far, after the then tropical storm made landfall there on Tuesday. Unfortunately many local residents had ignored warnings to prepare for the storm and floods and mudslides caused the deaths of around 60 people.
Labor Day Weekend Fears
With the Labor Day weekend approaching, many tourist operators in the United States are also concerned that the hurricane will mean that visitor numbers will drop compared to what they’d usually expect over this normally very popular traveling weekend. Higher fuel prices have already meant that many people who would drive to states like Florida for the weekend have canceled their trips, and the hurricane threat is likely to make visitor numbers fall even further. With some areas already reporting losses after many travelers canceled last weekend because of fears about Tropical Storm Fay, it could be a financially stressful time for hurricane-affected tourist regions.
Tips for Tourists
Ring ahead if you are planning to travel to an area that might be affected by Gustav. Check both on the current situation there and what the cancellation policy is for your bookings. Many good hotels in hurricane-affected areas waive cancellation fees during a hurricane so you might find you don’t have to lose your deposits or be charged hefty fees. Some airlines are also offering one-off changes in policy like allowing you to change your ticket without paying a fee if it is to a hurricane-affected destination. Check if any insurance policy you have covers losses you might experience due to the hurricane.
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