LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Keep up the great work Cayman Net News

Wednesday,  November 3, 2004

Dear Sir:

In the wake of any disaster, the first priority is safety, food, water, shelter and basic restoration efforts. 

The destruction on Grand Cayman was catastrophic. Although I am certain that it has been somewhat frustrating for many visitors who had reservations for post-hurricane dates, I’m sure that the people of Grand Cayman are doing everything possible to 

1) Assure basic services and shelter for their populace and 

2) As rapidly as possible, restore the framework of their tourism industry so that their economy can recover as quickly as possible. 

Cayman Net News staff and their families have no doubt suffered damage to their homes and loss of property. However, they have done an amazing job keeping all who are interested informed of both the issues facing the Cayman Islands and the progress of the rebuilding efforts. 

In my job, I work with just 31 hotels. Keeping an open line of communication and getting feedback from each hotel on any issue takes a good deal of time and effort. 

And that’s in a normal, healthy tourism industry. Trying to maintain communication with literally hundreds of resorts, hotels and individual lodging accommodations in the aftermath of a disaster of this magnitude is mind boggling at best. 

I hope Mr. Evans will decide to make that trip in February. I know that Cayman’s tourism industry is working hard to get information to visitors and doesn’t want to lose the valuable trust and loyalty of those such as Mr. Evans. 

I’m also certain that the situation of each resort and hotel operator very much depends on the amount of damage sustained to both their property and that of their workers. Other factors such as damage to computers or damage done to the facility of the hotel or resort’s webmaster may also play a role. 

Mr. Evan’s offer to assist was generous and, I’m sure, heartfelt. He has, no doubt, expressed the desire of thousands of people who have visited and love the islands. Perhaps Cayman Net News could publish an article on the need for, and Cayman’s current ability to accommodate and coordinate visitor volunteers. 

It may not be possible at this time to do so and that information would be quite helpful to Mr. Evans and others who care and wish to help.

Keep up the great work Cayman Net News. And God bless the people of the Cayman Islands.

Lorah Steiner

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