SANTO DOMINGO - Despite images and reports of Hurricane Fiona's devastation in the Dominican Republic's eastern and northeastern tourist areas, Asonahores, the Dominican Republic's Hotel and Tourism Association, states that no damage has yet been reported to hotel complexes located in those provinces.
The organization's vice president, Andrés Marranzini, told Diario Libre that so far, the reports from hotels have been of collateral damage resulting from the rain and strong winds. "There was material damage and many trees fell, but nothing that would prevent us from operating," he said.
The hurricane's path took it through the provinces of La Altagracia, La Romana, El Seibo, Hato Mayor and Samaná - which is where the hurricane is projected to exit - affecting several localities.
Asonahores is awaiting information on Fiona's passage through Bayahibe and Samaná, but stated that, so far, no incidents have occurred involving tourists in Asonahores member hotels as a result of the hurricane.
Speaking to that media outlet, Marranzini reported that some international flights will resume starting at 4:00 p.m. today, so the departure of some tourists who were staying until this afternoon is expected.
Since yesterday, he added, the tourism sector has been implementing its contingency plan to avoid major incidents, with a preventative strategy that included calling on other hotels to make rooms available to accommodate tourists, if necessary.
He reported that representatives of the hotel sector will be meeting from noon onwards to prepare a final report on the effects of Hurricane Fiona.
