The biggest hotels, resorts, airports, cruise ports and tourist attractions in Puerto Rico are open, functioning and open for business, three weeks after the storm hit.
It's a delicate pair of messages to share. The storm caused a lot of damage in the U.S. territory.
Brad Dean is the CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, the island's official tourism organization.
He draws a distinction between Hurricane Maria, the category five storm that made landfall nearly five years ago, and the category three storm that made landfall a few days later, but didn't cause much damage.
Dean said that the tourism industry is in good shape. The tourism industry in Puerto Rico was not affected.
He is trying to ensure those considering a trip to Puerto Rico stay the course and visit, while also empathizing with those facing a long road ahead because ofFiona.
A discussion about vacations, beaches and tourism is more important than a discussion about the human impact of the storm.
Particularly in the western and southern parts of Puerto Rico, people face a significant storm recovery; a mode with which so many are familiar after the last half-decade following the devastation caused by Maria.
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said last week that 98% of the island had power and water.
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Hundreds of thousands of people still don't have electricity and tens of thousands don't have running water in a territory of over three million people.
Pierluisi said last week that Puerto Rico is in a full recovery mode.
The federal government widened a disaster declaration and pledged additional funds to assist in the rebuilding efforts because of the wind and flood damage caused by the storm.
When the ramifications extend far beyond that of the wind and the rain is when a storm's aftermath is more costly. Tourism officials want to avoid long-term consequences from this storm.
Businesses, homes and the power grid were not the only things that were destroyed by Hurricane Maria. Tourists, with all the money they bring in and jobs they support, could not easily visit due to the damage caused by the storm.
Puerto Rico didn't have a major economic driver.
Dean is cautiously optimistic that the aftermath of this storm will be different than the previous ones.
He said that the setback was not a rest.
Shortly after the storm, flights were able to take off and land again at San Juan Airport.
According to the Discovery Puerto Rico website, most hotels, restaurants, golf courses and venues are operating normally.
Dean stated that major hotels and resorts are back on the power grid.
The organization states that the island has beaches and national parks, as well as destinations like Old San Juan, La Placita de Santurce, Carabali Rainforest Park, Castillo San Cristobal and others.
Dean compared the storm's effects to those seen five years ago with Maria, saying that they both happened in the month of September.
Discovery Puerto Rico has been sharing photos of properties, date- stamped to show the current state of operations, like this image of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Del Mar Beach Resort. The hope is that images will show that resorts are able to accept guests now.
He acknowledged that in the wake of a storm, would-be visitors might need a bit more convincing to come.
Most of the tourists that come to Puerto Rico come from the San Juan metropolitan area, so Dean is confident that the island is ready to welcome them back.
Yes, hotels are open, but what about damage off- property?
He said that if you arrive in the San Juan metro area, you won't know that there was a natural disaster in the last few weeks. There has been some flood damage in the outlying areas.
Some of those locations are starting to see businesses open again.
Dean said that the message seems to be spreading, with cruise lines affirming their schedules for this fall.
If you are considering or planning a visit, you should double-check with your resort on its operating status to make sure it is safe.
The relief comes after the long- lasting economic ramifications of Maria. The island has seen record tourism numbers in the past, and is on track to do so again this year.
Dean thinks it's a sign that the island has come a long way.
He said that he is now realizing how much progress the island has made.
In the southern and western parts of the island, there is a road to recovery that is still ongoing.
Officials want tourists to know that they should be able to take their trips despite the recovery. Tourism officials are hoping they will.
There are many ways to assist storm victims in Puerto Rico and Florida. Dean suggests visiting the island and spending money in order to assist in the aftermath of the storm.
Scheduling or continuing a vacation is the best way to help the people in Puerto Rico. It is not necessary to worry about whether Puerto Rico is ready.
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