Cruise ships are not expected to be able to return to St Lucia until Saturday (November 7) after the island was battered by Tropical Storm Thomas at the weekend.
Full tourism facilities are not expected to be restored until the following week. The winds and heavy rain resulted in fallen trees, infrastructural damage to buildings and major roads.
This restricted access to various areas and a temporary loss of utility services across the island, according to the St Lucia Tourist Board.
Damage to hotels was limited mainly to loss of landscaping and flooding to accommodation although a few properties reported some structural damage.
“A comprehensive clean up exercise and restoration of critical infrastructure is underway and it is estimated that the country and its vital tourism industry will be back to normal by Friday, November 12, at which time the island will be in a position to welcome all visitors in its usual legendary fashion,” the tourist board said.
“The Government of Saint Lucia is committed to the practice of responsible tourism and in that respect wishes to ensure the utmost safety and welfare of visitors and citizens.
“In collaboration with the private sector, every effort is being made to ensure the smooth departure of visitors who wish to leave by facilitating additional airlift at both airports as well as transfers between the airports. Visitors wishing to remain on island will continue to be taken care of.”