Following the passing of two years now, since Hurricane Irma ripped across Anguilla, severely impacting several tourism properties, one of the longest-serving hoteliers on the island, Mr. Rolf Masshardt, has commented on the effects of the category 5 hurricane and how Anguilla has recovered.
“In the early months, together with a few other properties, like Paradise Cove and Shoal Bay villas, we were the first ones to open,” the General Manager of Carimar Beach Club recalled. “Some of the same tourists who were on the island, two years ago, and usually come early in October or November, are here again. They come every year. They came when we did not have any railings and supported us. They came the year after and were surprised about the garden and how it looks.
“They are more surprised that the whole island is now back, and I would say more beautiful than before, if you look at the various properties – and we at Carimar have also done a lot of work since the hurricane. I think that the decision we made to stay open, even though we had work to do, like others as well, had helped us, first of all, because we had income during that year already. We really did not lose any money because whatever we didn’t have in income, we had a high occupancy.”
Mr. Masshardt recalled that while it was difficult for persons to travel to Anguilla in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, a number of repeat guests had found ways to return to the island. He thought that Carimar had been able to get a lot of publicity by providing accommodation for the British military, and other officials, who travelled to Anguilla shortly after the hurricane. “It was a huge public relations advantage which we didn’t look for but it just happened,” he observed. “I think that paid off in the months and over the past two years. I think, even today, that helps us to keep busy all the time.”
He went on: “As I indicated, the year after the hurricane, we did financially well which allowed us to continue our investments. After the hurricane we had a container with new bathrooms – and we have now finished all the forty-eight bathrooms. This year we also changed the windows in all the buildings. We also built a second generator house, and we now have a 150-kilowatt generator, and a 2,000-gallon diesel tank which keeps us going for a whole month.
“We have a back-up generator and, whatever happens, Carimar will be running. Originally we only had one generator so if guests were told we are open, come to visit, and there is no electricity from Anglec, you are taking a risk because if the generator fails, there are guests here who at least expect a certain amount of comfort – so I said to the owners I needed another generator.” He estimated that the new 150-kilowatt generator could not only fully supply the 48-room Carimar Beach Club, but probably provide electricity for the whole of Long Bay as well. (The first generator is 100 kilowatts.)
Commenting on a statement by Mr. Frank Comito, CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Association – over the weekend – that Anguilla probably had a 50-percent occupancy throughout the season, much lower than other islands, the Carimar General Manager said: “I think what I understood is that most of the islands have about 65-70 percent occupancy. He was right, and he mentioned that’s a lot of income sitting around.
“I am not against new projects but I think the priority should be to fill existing properties. Carimar does well, but there are a lot of bigger properties and local properties which may have a 50-percent occupancy – and if they can get to a higher occupancy it would be dramatically different for the island. The Government would make more income through taxes, the merchants, car rental companies and everybody else would profit from that.”
Mr. Masshardt has just retired as Treasurer of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association. “I think the Association went through a very difficult period since the hurricane because a lot of members were closed and couldn’t pay their fees,” he said. “Thanks to the Government of Anguilla, as I mentioned, for helping us out this year so that we could get back on our feet. I think there is a need for younger people, who have more energy, to represent the industry better in various forms and there is a need for a balance between the public sector and the industry.”
He was of the view that the Hotel Association just needed a little refreshment and he hoped that, with a new Board, it would be in a better position to press forward. “I am happy to assist them with my knowledge and my expertise but I don’t have the time,” he added. “They just have to punch.”
