Coronavirus weakens USVI tourism

Friday, March 20, 2020

Quite surprised by the fast changes caused by the dangerous coronavirus, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, which Caribbean Journal magazine calls St. Thomas’s signature hotel, is gradually drawing its operations to a close for the time being.

“We have begun informing future guests arriving through April 12th of the need to postpone trips to Bolongo Bay,” said Managing Director Richard Doumeng, in a post to the Medium.Com blog site. “For those already here, we are advising them to book earlier flights home while availability and prices are still so favorable. Every airline and Tour Operator has suspended their cancellation charges and change fees. We want you to decide when to return home, while the decision is still yours to make.”

Also, the family-owned Bolongo Bay hotel houses Iggies Oasis, the popular bar and restaurant of south shore. It is quite uncertain what the changes in operations will actually bring to its dozens of employees; however an extended closure to tourists would not be good anyhow.

Not long ago, Bolongo Bay had gone off-line for visitors due to hurricanes Irma and Maria. They slammed dozens of guest rooms and the Iggies bar and restaurants of the place. After the storms, Bolongo had supported hurricane relief workers for months, but hotel, restaurant and other support jobs suffered.

“There are no good answers here,” Mr. Doumeng said. “Like all safety precautions, implementation can also lead to the appearance of over-reaction. As in the case of an approaching hurricane, you’ve got to take potentially disruptive action when the sun is shining and the breeze is mild.”

Mafolie Hotel and Restaurant
No changes have been incorporated at Mafolie Hotel and Restaurant, as per management staff contacted by phone on Tuesday afternoon. The hotel and restaurant was open for public as management keeps a tab on the fast-changing circumstances. The Consortium was informed that cancellation would not be charged to the travelers who opted to cancel plans.

The Ritz Carlton
As confirmed by the Ritz Carlton front desk staff, there have been no changes in hotel operations, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Margaritaville Vacation Club of St. Thomas: No New Guests After March 20th
Wyndham’s sprawling Margaritaville in Smith Bay has stopped accepting new reservations from March 20th until further notice, according to local resort staff.

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