Destinations
Mexico set to celebrate Day of the Dead
Mexico is gearing up to celebrate Día de los Muertos (or the Day of the Dead) this weekend, one of the country’s most cherished traditions which honours loved ones in a festival that embodies the nation’s enduring connection between life and death. From bustling cities to rural villages, families are preparing altars known as ofrendas, decorated with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls and photographs of departed relatives. The bright orange cempasúchil flowers, believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living, will fill streets, plazas and cemeteries as Mexicans welcome...
Cuba Update: Key destinations operational as Eastern Cuba begins recovery
The Cuba Tourist Board has issued a further update on the impact and recovery efforts in the eastern part of the island following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. That update indicates that initial assessments confirm that while some regions sustained damage, key tourist infrastructure was largely unaffected. The recovery phase has already begun. The update continues that due to the swift and effective preparation by Cuban civil defense and the timely evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, there were no reported losses of human life. Tourist infrastructure and hotel...
Tryall Club, Jamaica temporarily closed to fully assess property
The Tryall Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica is advising that it is temporarily closed which it conducts a full assessment of the property. In a statement, the property extended its “deepest concerns and support” to everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Melissa. “The safety of our guests, staff, and community remains our top priority. As the storm has now passed, we are awaiting further information on the extent of damage affecting both our resort and surrounding areas, including critical access points such as local roads and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport,...
CUBA Update: Melissa weakens to Category 2 after impacting Eastern Cuba
The Cuba Tourist Board provided an update on Hurricane Melissa this morning, confirming that the storm has weakened to a Category 2 hurricane after moving through the eastern part of the country. The hurricane's interaction with the Sierra Maestra Mountain range has contributed to its reduced intensity. The central region of the storm passed through the province of Holguín, where calm conditions were reported in the municipalities of Cueto, Mayarí, and Banes. As of 9 a.m. today, the hurricane was exiting the coast near Banes, moving out to sea at 22 km/h. Intense rainfall and...
Jamaica assessing damage as Hurricane Melissa takes aim at Cuba
Officials in Jamaica are starting the process of assessing the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa today after the storm ripped across the island yesterday. Words like catastrophic, devastating and apocalyptic are being used to describe the damage left by Hurricane Melissa. Late yesterday, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a disaster area, and made it clear that the storm had had a devastating impact on the island, causing significant damage to hospitals, homes and businesses. Reports from a variety of sources indicate that power outages are...
Jamaica braces for landfall of Hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa is set to make landfall in Jamaica this morning (Tues., Oct. 28), with the latest reports from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicating that it will arrive with maximum sustained winds near 175 mph (280 km/h) with higher gusts. During the past few hours, Jamaica has been experiencing the effects of the hurricane-force winds, with Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston reporting a sustained wind of 43 mph (69 km/h) and a gust of 59 mph (93 km/h); while Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay has reported a sustained wind of 38 mph (61 km/h) and a...
Cuba closes airports, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, as it prepares for Hurricane Melissa
Cuba has implemented measures to safeguard tourists, staff, and facilities in the eastern part of the country as it prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa. Precautionary actions have been taken at the airports in Santiago de Cuba and Holguin which will be temporarily closed on Tues., Oct. 28, and Wed., Oct. 29. Gihana Galindo, Director of the Cuba Tourist Board, said: “The safety of our clients is paramount. Cuba is experienced in dealing with natural disasters, and we have an immediate organizational structure in place to respond to this climatological event.” And...
Jamaica prepares for Hurricane Melissa, now a category 5 storm
The National Hurricane Center says that Hurricane Melissa, now a category 5 hurricane, is forecast to move “near or over” Jamaica Monday night (Oct. 27) and early Tuesday. NHC says that a life-threatening storm surge is likely along the south coast of Jamaica Monday night (Oct. 27) and on Tuesday. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above ground level, near and to the east of where the centre of Melissa makes landfall. This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Jamaica Prepares The Jamaican Ministry of Tourism’s Tourism Emergency...