Most of Caribbean unscathed by hurricanes this year

Although three of the islands comprising the Turks and Caicos have suffered severe damage during the 2008 hurricane season, most of the popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean have remained untouched so far this year, or experienced only sight affects from storms that began with Tropical Storm Arthur on 30 May.

Media reports of casualties and widespread damaged caused by hurricanes such as Gustav and Ike have left many holidaymakers wondering where in the Caribbean they could still go this year.

“While the hurricane season has been active and it certainly affected parts of the Caribbean and the United States more than any of us would have wanted, the one thing to remember,” said the acting head of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Hugh Riley, “. . . is that the Caribbean is a fairly wide swath of territory. We’re talking some of our member countries that are (4,025 kilometres) apart and we’re talking about a population that is larger than the size of Canada.”

Riley added: “Because one particular country is temporarily disabled, it is not to suggest that you can’t then find an extremely enjoyable and safe and complete vacation experience in another.”

After Hurricane Ike passed directly over the easternmost islands in the Turks and Caicos on 7 September, the devastation left in its wake on South Caicos and Salt Bay and Grand Turk made the upcoming tourist season look grim, at least for this popular diving destination.

Thanks to www.canada.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.onecaribbean.org