Nearly 500 guests and employees at Club Med’s Columbus isle resort in San Salvador were airlifted off the island yesterday following an evacuation order provoked by Hurricane Frances.
“Due to transportation and safety concerns for our guests, a decision was made to take the necessary precaution and to ensure their safety. Flights were brought in to transport our [members] and [organisers] into Punta Cana, Mexico, Miami and Canada,” a spokesperson at Club Med’s headquarters in Coral Gables told The Tribune.
One of the largest storms to potentially ever impact the Bahamas, Hurricane Frances was causing cancellations, closures and evacuations throughout the Family Islands as residents and visitors alike sought shelter. In Abaco, people rushed in from the cays trying to either leave the island or fill up every available hotel room.
Media crews from US networks ABC and CBS were on property with representatives expected from CNN and FOX.
With a ready supply of water, batteries, flashlights, rain coats, chainsaws and other necessary items on hand since June, Mr. John Neophytou general manager of the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour said the hotel was prepared for the storm, having secured most rooms, putting shutters in place and secured items such as tables, chairs and garbage bins.
The resort expects to filled to about 80 per cent capacity with people coming from the Family islands.
At Pink Sands Hotel in Harbour Island, Clemens Von Merdelt, general manager, said the hotel was empty following the regular scheduled departure of guests on Tuesday. Those guests expected to arrive today have been sent to sister Island Outposts property in Jamaica.
Source: The Tribune
