By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
IN THE aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, attractions and tour companies say that while they have suffered relatively minimal damages, they are now reeling from a downturn in business as a result of slowed hotel bookings.
"We have not seen any major damage to facilities as a result of Hurricane Ivan," President of the Association of Jamaica Attractions, Johnny Gourzong told The Gleaner. "However, in the case of Margaritaville in Montego Bay, they suffered severe damage. All of the other attractions companies are back in business and to the best of my knowledge they worked quickly to get things in order to receive tourists."
John Byles of Chukka Blu Adventure Tours told The Gleaner that his company suffered damage to some tours and that the cost of the damage stood at $4M.
These costs, he said were further compounded by the fact that hotel bookings have slowed down ahead of this year's winter tourist season. "There was a dramatic fall in business which has hurt our cash flow," he continued.
But the tourism official remains confident and believes that the likely increase in resort bookings for the winter season will result in a corresponding increase for attractions companies.
"We were encouraged by the fact that we were able to receive tourists four days after Hurricane Ivan. Many people including cruise shipping representatives were pleased with the level of service we offered so soon after the disaster," said Mr. Byles.
He added that, "Even last week, we received 120 tourists for our Canopy Tour which has been repaired."
Vice-president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), Horace Peterkin, told The Gleaner that it was typical for attractions companies to experience slumps in business at this time of the year.
"There is always a slow down in the hurricane season when people shift their bookings towards the winter season," Mr. Peterkin said. "By all indications though, things will be good this year, so attractions companies and resorts can look to see an upturn by the last week in November."
