Hurricane Beryl has weakened to a Category 2 and is expected to make landfall on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula today, after sweeping Jamaica's southern coast and leaving the island battered and bruised, but not destroyed.
A Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) press release said Jamaica's airports SIA, IFIA and NMIA which had closed Wednesday night, have all reopened. Jamaica’s cruise ports (Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Falmouth) have also resumed operations, the CTO said.
The tourism industry is showing its support for affected regions, with organizations like Caribbean One, the CHTA and the CTO expressing the need to help the affected areas by continuing to travel to the region.
“We want to assure the Canadian public that although Hurricane Beryl has indeed been a deadly, strong storm, Beryl has not impacted all Caribbean countries and the best way to help these islands is to continue to travel to them”, said Nancy Drolet, Founder of One Caribbean Canada.
“It’s important to understand the geography of the Caribbean and that there are 30+ countries in the region. A country may be made up of multiple islands: for example, Grenada is made up of three islands, Grenada itself, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. While Carriacou and Petite Martinique were severely damaged, the main island of Grenada where most Canadians visit, was virtually unscathed.”
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) President Nicola Madden-Greig expressed deep concern for those hardest hit and affirmed the association's commitment to relief efforts.
"We stand in solidarity with the communities affected by Hurricane Beryl, and we are actively collaborating with our National Hotel and Tourism Associations in Grenada and St. Vincent to provide essential support," Madden-Greig stated. Madden-Greig also says most Caribbean destinations remain open and ready to welcome visitors.
"Traveling to the Caribbean not only supports our tourism industry but also contributes directly to the recovery of affected areas," he urged.
Kenneth Bryan, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization who also serves as Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands echoed Drolet's statement and added the importance of standing in solidarity with the region.
"While we protect life and property here in the western Caribbean, we stand in solidarity with the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl," said Bryan.
"Their pain is our pain, and their struggles are felt across our entire region. When one member of our Caribbean family is affected, we all feel the impact. We must unite and support each other through these challenging times."
Bryan also called on the international community to assist the region in rebuilding infrastructure, restoring essential services, and helping communities recover. "We contribute the least to and suffer the most from the changing climate, so we need the global community to provide resources for improved building standards, better communication systems, and more resilient infrastructure to mitigate future hurricane impacts."
Bryan says the CTO is committed to collaborating with relief organizations to ensure a coordinated response to hurricane impacts and stressed the importance of preparedness, urging residents and businesses to secure their homes, stock up on essential supplies, and have clear emergency plans.
"As hurricanes become more frequent and intense due to climate change, we must take necessary precautions and be ready to support our neighbors. Climate change poses a significant threat to our region, and we must be proactive in our response," Bryan added.
"This hurricane season, let us demonstrate the strength of our Caribbean spirit by preparing diligently and standing in solidarity. Our collective efforts will make a difference and ensure that we emerge stronger and more resilient."
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