Cleaning up the mess and repairing the damage are under way in Baja California Sur in the wake of Hurricane Odile, which left a trail of destruction in its wake when it struck eight days ago.
Today, several federal government initiatives were to be put in action, including financial aid for small and large businesses, speeding up the appraisal process for insurance claims and facilities to enable businesses to comply with tax obligations.
Many stores are expected to reopen today and tomorrow, and additional supplies of tools and construction materials are being brought in.
Yesterday, WalMart announced it had reopened its Cabo San Lucas store where it has groceries, perishables and basic goods in stock. Its electronics and appliances departments will remain closed, however.
Financing will be made available to the larger businesses that are fundamental to the tourist inudstry in amounts up to 500 million pesos, while smaller businesses will have access to loans of up to 2 million pesos with interest rates no higher than 9.5%.
Small stores such as abarrotes will be offered access to a fund from which they can obtain grants of up to 15,000 pesos for new inventory or basic repairs so they can resume operations.
Many Los Cabos hotels will remain closed for up to two months as they clean up and repair the mess and the damage. The major hotels sustained little structural damage but sand, broken glass and vegetation have found their way into the rooms, with windows and doors having been torn out by the strong winds.
Last year Los Cabos recorded the second highest occupancy rates in all of Mexico, second only to Cancún, while in the first six months of this year it chalked up 73%, the highest level seen in decades.
Eight out of 10 tourists who stay in Los Cabos choose the five-star hotels.
The cruise ship industry will also be hurt as a result of Hurricane Odile, as up to 40 ships could be diverted to Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta. Each ship brings about 2,000 visitors.
But Mexico’s head of tourism, who is also overseeing the reconstruction efforts, put a bright perspective on things during a press conference on the weekend. Claudia Ruiz Massieu said there are currently 2,000 hotel rooms available in Los Cabos, ready to welcome visitors.
And the Tourism Secretariat will be meeting this week with 18 representatives of hotels, travel agencies, airlines and other industry personnel to demonstrate what’s being done in order to guarantee the region’s readiness for the upcoming tourist season.
Also during the press conference, Ruiz Massieu said last week’s airlift evacuated 26,898 tourists from Los Cabos, on flights operated by National Defense, the Navy, Federal Police and commercial airlines. She reported that 86 gas stations out of 140 are now operating throughout the state, seven banks have reopened in Los Cabos and six more were to reopen this week.
In addition, 38 community kitchens are providing ongoing food service, initiated through a temporary employment plan, and the five hospitals in Los Cabos are in operation.
Casa Hogar's big fish.
CFE workers repair the damage in Baja California Sur.
