NTA Members Recovering Well From Recent Hurricanes

September 28, 2004

NTA Members Recovering Well From Recent Hurricanes
September 28, 2004 – While many air travelers still face delays due to recent hurricanes such as Jeanne, many southern state travel companies are getting back to business after suffering four hurricanes in the last six weeks.

The St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB reports that the area received minimal impact from Jeanne, as it had been reduced to a tropical storm by the time it passed to the north of the area. The St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport, as well as all roadways are all open and operating. The area’s top-rated beaches are also all open.

According to the CVB, nearly all area accommodations, attractions, restaurants and beaches are open and operating as usual. The CVB received storm reports from 55 properties and found only one that is closed due to storm damage (The Traveler Motel in Clearwater Beach lost its roof. The Travelodge, Sea Stone Resort and Pelican Walk shopping center in Clearwater were also damaged by the storm). Several beach properties had a few beachside rooms that had water intrusion. But fewer than 200 rooms are reported to be out of service due to the storm damage.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau office has resumed normal office hours. The CVB office line is 727-464-7200. For hotel reservations, please call 1-800-434-1372 or go to http://www.floridasbeach.com/.

The Asheville Chamber reports that while Western North Carolina suffered some damages from hurricane Ivan, including road closings and power outages, Asheville area hotels, bed & breakfasts and inns along with major attractions are open and operating normally once again.

Eight shops in the historic Biltmore Village are welcoming visitors again and several more anticipate re-opening before October, according to Stan Collins with the Biltmore Village Association and owner of Once Upon A Time, a children’s boutique in the Village.

A section of the Blue Ridge Parkway around the Asheville area is also open. Parkway crews opened a stretch from 191 near the NC Arboretum to Mount Pisgah and U.S. 276. They plan to open a northern stretch to Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi later this week.

The Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Tourism Department is happy to answer any questions. For more information, please contact Dianna Jackson, director of tourism, at 828.258.6108.

NTA will continue to report on the latest updates from those NTA travel companies affected by the recent hurricanes.