By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
Caribbean villa management company WIMCO is reporting that all members of its St. Barth-based staff are safe after the passage of Hurricane Irma, and that their office on-island has reopened with power and internet access.
Wimco’s president and CMO Stiles Bennet tells CJ that “electricity and internet access have been restored in much of the business districts of Gustavia and St. Jean, and regularly scheduled flights have resumed. The grocery stores and gas stations have reopened on a limited schedule, and supplies are coming in by plane and boat.”
The island’s energies are now focused on clearing debris, disposing of it or burning it, repairing buildings, restoring essential services to all areas of the island, and actively working towards opening some number of villas, hotels and restaurants by November 18,” Bennet said.
Bennet also said that WIMCO is contacting owners and villa managers on St Barth to determine the status of each of the 380 villas they represent there. “Our job now is to determine what level of work is required on each, and when that work can be completed by. We are sharing updates with our clients and travel agent partners as we get them,” Bennet said. “There will be villas available for Thanksgiving, and restaurants and businesses to serve visitors, the question is, how many.”