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THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM: 7 TIPS TO BALANCE HURRICANES WITH HOSPITALITY

Written by True Blue Bay Boutique Resort

With over twenty years in the hospitality industry and having experienced over 12 hurricanes between them the owners of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort in Grenada have these 7 tips to help you weather any inclement weathers:

  1. Stock up before hurricane season

If you wait to purchase your supplies until just before a strike you are likely to find that stores will have empty shelves so plan early to be fully prepared. Your resort is responsible for the safety and comfort of its guests, management, staff and possibly the surrounding community.

  1. Have a hurricane plan

This annually updated document details all that needs to be accomplished before a hurricane or storm strikes. Hotel owner, Russ comments that “it is best to assume that it [a hurricane or storm] will hit but always hope it won’t”. With a robust plan in a place all that is left is the execution, adapted to the unique circumstances of each storm.

  1. Keep guests informed

Ensuring that your guests are periodically clued in about the weather forecast, the likelihood and severity of the forecasted strike and that resort’s plan of action is instrumental. In the event of a strike an informed guest is more likely to co-operate with your plan and thus remain safe.

A mandatory communal briefing 12/24 hours before the strike gives management an opportunity to give guests thorough instructions on how to react in an array of emergency eventualities. It also gives your guests an opportunity to ask questions and feel confident that the resort is as well prepared as possible.

  1. Designate a hurricane shelter

 Ideally this shelter should be on the middle floor(s) of a block. A top floor is at risk of losing its roof and the ground floor is vulnerable to flooding. Insisting that all your guests are in the designated shelters throughout the storm will also makes it easier to account for everyone’s safety  and whereabouts during and after a storm.

  1. Stock hurricane shelter(s) for 12 hours

It is very important that hospitality does not completely fly away with the strong winds. Basics like: plenty of drinking water and something to munch is indispensable. A good glass of wine…or two also helps with the nerves.

  1. Put your guests to work

After a storm or a hurricane things are chaotic it is easy for people to feel helpless and fall into despair. Giving your guests the opportunity to help makes them feel useful and builds a sense of community and family.

  1. Take care of your community

After Category 5 Hurricane Ivan which hit Grenada in 2004 there were several robberies and some looting around the island.  Inviting the community in, allowing them to take away water or have a meal, instead of shutting them out ensured that we remained a safe space.

 

 

 

NATIONAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION COALITION, SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE TO GOVERNMENTS
Living on Water: Are You Ready to Weather a Storm?
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