Asonahores met with the Ministry of Tourism and all the provinces this morning and will meet again this afternoon to follow up on the measures implemented.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores) today formulated a set of recommendations that it believes should be implemented in anticipation of Hurricane Fiona passing through Dominican territory. The hurricane is expected to pass close to the northern coast of the Dominican Republic tonight and tomorrow, Monday, according to an updated bulletin from the National Hurricane Center.
Among the suggestions, Asonahores specifies establishing a containment and shelter area for guests in a safer area of the establishment, removal of beach furniture and open areas, and reduction or emptying of the swimming pools.
It also advises checking storm drains and power lines, removing guests staying on the beachfront and first floor, recommending the use of second levels, preparing kits of non-perishable food and water to prevent guests from leaving their rooms during the storm, and maintaining an internal emergency committee in permanent session and constant communication with state emergency agencies.
The union called for the implementation of safety and prevention protocols in each of the country's hotel complexes, in anticipation of Hurricane Fiona.
Given the alerts issued by the National Meteorological Office (Onamet) and the Emergency Operations Center (COE), regarding hurricane conditions from Cabo Caucedo to Puerto Plata (San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Atacagracia, María Trinidad Sánchez, Espaillat, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Hato Mayor, El Seybo and Monte Plata), and Tropical Storm conditions for the rest of the island, Asonahores recommended activating the emergency committees to carry out the appropriate internal protocols.
The president of Asonahores, Rafael Blanco Tejera, pointed out that it is important to stay attentive to the reports issued by the authorities.
“We are prepared and have reactivated the protocols designed and customary for this type of eventuality; however, we ask our members to remain alert to the bulletins issued by Onamet and COE, as well as to strictly follow the recommendations established by our authorities,” he emphasized.
In addition, they asked hotels to contact the association if they have the availability to receive guests who need to be transferred to other facilities for safety reasons, as well as to report any incidents that may occur during the passage of the weather precipitation.
Asonahores met with the Ministry of Tourism and all the provinces this morning and will meet again this afternoon to follow up on the measures implemented.
