![]() ![]() We roll up our sleeves and stand shoulder to shoulder to support each other and move forward, one step at a time.” List of closed hotels runs long We have steered through countless crises before and will do so again. Our beautiful islands, beaches and neighborhoods will be rebuilt. We will come through this just as we have all other crises before it. “What Hurricane Ian was not able to wash away, though, is our resilience. Our homes, our communities, our livelihoods have taken a devastating blow,” said Cecil Pendergrass, Lee County Commissioner and chairman of the county's Tourist Development Council. Would-be visitors have been asked to put travel plans to the region "on hold for the time being," given the extent of the devastation, including damage to the Sanibel Causeway and Pine Island bridge. "Given the extent of the devastation from Hurricane Ian, there is no timeline yet for a resumption of tourism," she said.Īs in Collier County, tourism marketing has been suspended in Lee County. In Lee, the county is "still in the damage assessment process, which includes assessing the status of hotels," said Betsy Clayton, communications director. "This destination is incredibly resilient and I believe everyone will be surprised at how well the hotel community rebounds," Beirnes said. The bureau, he said, is already coordinating and strategizing with its partner agencies on the "recovery marketing and communications plans globally," which will be deployed "when the time is appropriate." Each minute the amount of properties improves with the restoration of power and the resumption of operations," Beirnes said.Īll marketing to tourists has been suspended, he said, "until we are comfortable that the destination is capable of welcoming visitors back, without taking away from the focus that is on the recovery steps necessary." "There is no reliable estimate as to the amount of hotels that are open since many of them have lost landlines, intermittent cell service, or loss of power. ![]() The focus, he said, is less on tourists and more on finding rooms for first responders, relief and utility workers and "of course, residents," displaced by the storm. The JW Marriott isn't yet.Īfter the storm, Collier's tourism bureau launched a daily call center to keep tabs on "all 116 accommodations partners" across the county, said Paul Beirnes, the executive director. Access to the beach and beach amenities will remain closed until further notice as we work closely with local officials."ĭown south on Marco Island, the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort is back in business. 10.Ī statement on the resort's website reads: "Our team is focused on restoring all guest services and amenities at the resort. Some coastal hotels are reopeningįarther north, the Naples Grande Beach Resort took a beating, but damages don't appear as severe, with a reopening slated for Oct. "We do plan on repairing the damage and reopening as soon as possible," Moore said. We are without power and we cannot accommodate guests at this time."ĭamage assessments are still underway, he said, but repairs have already started. In a message on the resort's website, owner Mick Moore said: "Like many properties along the Gulf Coast of Florida, we have suffered serious damage as a result of Hurricane Ian. ![]() The nearby Vanderbilt Beach Resort, a small family-owned and operated hotel, is in bad shape, due to Ian's record-breaking storm surge.
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