by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Fri October 6, 2017
After Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, the island's tourism department revealed the local government's 90-day plan to get the destination up and running again.
The plan calls for relief, rebuilding and recovery.
According to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the multifaceted plan starts with bringing relief to those directly impacted by the hurricane, including the reopening of hospitals, gas stations, pharmacies, dialysis centers and banks.
Another key reopening was Luis Munoz International Airport, which is now accepting domestic and international flights, as well as planes carrying aid from the continental United States. Other airports open on a limited capacity include Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Mercedita Airport in Ponce, Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande and Antonio Rivera Rodriguez Airport in Vieques.
Additionally, 75 percent of cruise ports are open once again and around 72 percent of shipping docks have reopened. San Juan Harbor is open and expected to resume home-porting operations by October 7. Other ports open only to daylight transit include Guayanilla, Tallaboa, Salinas, Fajardo, Culebra, Vieques and Guayama.
The island's tourism department is working hard to facilitate humanitarian flights for locals in need of critical medical care and the tourists trapped in Puerto Rico when the storm hit. Thus far, over 3,000 passengers have been transported to the mainland with the help of airlines and cruise lines.
"We are deeply grateful to our most loyal travel partners for their committed support and generosity," Puerto Rico Tourism Company executive director Jose Izquierdo said in a statement. "What will continue to keep us strong and on a path to rebuilding will be continued assistance like this and I'm hopeful we'll continue to receive support from other partners. We remain confident that Puerto Rico will quickly recover and the resiliency and strength of our people will get us through the days ahead."
[READMORE]READ MORE: Where Does Puerto Rico Go from Here?[/READMORE]
As for lodging, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company provided travelers a list of hotel updates, including some of the resorts that remain closed and are not taking new reservations, including Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, Royal Isabela, W Retreat & Spa in Vieques, Gran Melia and more. The full list can be found here.
For travelers trying to help in the relief, rebuilding and recovery process, UnitedForPuertoRico.com is a domestic non-profit brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rossello, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected on the island.
For anyone with further questions about the rebuilding process in Puerto Rico, the tourism department has provided a phone number (787-522-5960) with will give people information and updates.
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