Hurricanes can be extremely destructive and sound terrifying, but for many of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, they are a normal fact of life.
Even the most beautiful places in the world have their downsides. This sad reality can be hard to admit, and even hard to understand, but it is a fact. There is nowhere on the planet that is completely perfect, 365 days a year.
The picturesque architecture in elegant European cities usually comes with a cold winter and plenty of rain. The Northern Lights are always accompanied by sub-zero temperatures and are usually best seen in barren, remote corners of the globe. And the most beautiful beaches, in places that offer a perfect climate during high season, often suffer from hurricane season.
Hurricanes can be extremely destructive and sound terrifying, but for many of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, they are a normal fact of life. From the award-winner cruise to the smallest boutique hotels, if you are based in the Caribbean, in the South Atlantic, or on much of the Pacific Coast of North America, hurricanes will be something you need to understand.
Many areas affected by hurricane season suffer from a loss of tourism, both during the season itself and in the aftermath. Strong hurricanes can cause destruction and damage, and the risk of a big storm is often enough to dissuade visitors. But you shouldn’t panic, as there are a number of things that you can do to recover the tourism flow in areas affected by hurricane season. Read on, and discover how to future-proof your business against storms, cyclones, monsoons, and hurricanes.
Make sure your destination is safe
One of the most important things you can do in the aftermath of a hurricane is to make sure that your destination is safe for tourists. This includes making sure that there is no damage to the infrastructure and that the area is safe from potential hazards. Investing in a great clean-up effort and working with local authorities to repair damage, clear waste, and generally ensure that everything gets back to normal as soon as possible, is a great way to go.
It is also important to make sure that other local businesses are up and running and that the quality of life is good. In short, you need to make sure that your destination is somewhere that people will want to visit, in order to get the flow of tourists running again.
Invest in hurricane-proofing your property
When it comes to your personal health, doctors and medical professionals always say that prevention is better than a cure. It is the same with hurricanes. If you want to make sure that your business can withstand a hurricane, you need to invest in hurricane-proofing for your property. There are a number of ways to do this, including things like storm shutters, hurricane-resistant windows, and reinforced doors.
Promote your destination
Once you have ensured that your destination is safe, you need to let potential tourists know that it is open for business. This can be done through marketing and advertising campaigns. Focusing on the benefits of visiting during less popular seasons (i.e. just after a hurricane!), alongside the social proof that everything is safe, secure, and back to normal, can be very effective. By offering discounts and incentives you can often persuade people who are hesitant to travel to hurricane-affected areas that it is actually a great idea.
Be patient
As we mentioned earlier, no tourist destination is completely perfect, and for tropical paradises, hurricanes are a sad fact of life. As a result, patience and acceptance are required. It will take time for the tourism flow to return to normal, but if you stay patient and keep promoting your destination, things will be back to normal in no time at all!
