The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT $4 million dollars worth of hurricane restoration is now underway to get the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew, open in time for Christmas.

Claudio Natella, resort general manager, said officials plan to reopen the newly renovated 276-room property on December 17.

He reported that the hotel and its facilities, as well as the landscaping and the beach, sustained significant damage on October 6.

“It was a really strong hurricane,” Mr Natella said of the category four storm. “We experienced 12 hours of strong winds at 150mph that affected almost all of our facilities here at the resort.”

Tourism officials and the local media were given a tour of the property and an update of the restoration on Tuesday morning.

Mr Natella said that a lot of improvements will be made to the existing property, which will include new marble pathways, a new facility centre, renovated tennis court, pool, kids club, and newly renovated guest rooms.

“This renovation is about almost $4m,” he said.

The resort employs 196 workers. Employees in the engineering and landscaping departments were able to return to work immediately after the hurricane to assist with the cleanup as well as rebuilding and renovations. The unemployed workers were given vacation time.

Mr Natella said the resort decided to also donate $80 per week to their unemployed workers.

He stated that they expect to have 90 per cent occupancy at reopening and into January 2017.

Attore Colussi, presidents of the Viva Group, is confident that they will meet the deadline for reopening.

“The resort will be better than before, and we want to thank Claudio and the employees for the great work they have done after the hurricane,” he said.

“I seen six major hurricanes between here (Grand Bahama), Mexico and the Dominican Republic in my 30-year career, so I know how bad it is, and also how doable it is to get back relatively quickly and so I was positive that by December 17 we could be ready, and we will open better than before,” he said.

Mr Colussi said the beach has been restored following severe erosion by the storm.

“The beach is one of the first assets in our resorts and our customers love the big white beach here and I was sorry to see what had happened to the beach, but we have been able to bring more sand to restore it.

“I am confident of a great 2017, the season looks good and we will be working together to make Grand Bahama better,” he said.

Betty Bethel, director at the Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, said the ministry is excited about the reopening of the newly upgraded resort in December.

“I am also pleased we have the opportunity to welcome back Alpatour Charter out of Italy, which primarily brings guest to the Viva. Last year, they had an amazing time and promised to come back for a longer stay,” she said.

Because the property will be more improved, Ms Bethel said it will accommodate higher end customers which will give a higher yield in terms of hotel rates.

“Viva will be the first beach resort to reopen, not first waterfront, and considering the damage we got off of our southern shore they have done an amazing job of restoration of the beach, and will offer a better beach experience to the guests,” she said.