In its annual report taking stock of economic and banking activity in Saint-Martin, Iedom was optimistic about tourism. “In 2016, the professionals report satisfactory results. The hotel occupancy rate increased by 3,8 points compared to 2015 and stood at 60,6%. The number of nights sold rose to more than 333, it increased by 000% (after + 6,1% the previous year). ” With Irma's passage, encouragement is followed by despair. There will be no 5,7-2017 season.
All hotels have been damaged to varying degrees. According to the Caribbean Tourism organization (CTO), the Esmeralda hotel in Orient Bay is 70% destroyed. The Riu at Anse Marcel, the Beach at Marigot and the Mercure at Nettle Bay also present very serious damage. The Samanna on Longue Baie beach has already announced that it will not reopen until April 2018 and the Grand Case Beach Hotel estimates that it will take one year to restore it.
Likewise in the Dutch part. The Sonesta at Maho has been completely destroyed. The Westin at Dawn beach is closed until further notice, as are the Sea Palace resort and the Oyster Bay beach Resort. The Simpson bay resort (time share) indicates on its website that the first tourists will not be able to return for six months.
La Playa at Orient Bay, which is welcoming soldiers at the moment, hopes to be able to reopen in the first quarter of 2018.
Source: www.soualigapost.com
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