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AAA Offers Tips on Caribbean Travel Following Recent Hurricanes

​CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 13, 2017) For Carolinians who had planned to take tropical trips this fall and winter, many Caribbean islands remain viable destinations. Despite the severe damage to some places in the area, most fortunately missed the sweeping hurricanes – making the region a top AAA recommended destination for fall and winter getaways.

“We want to encourage travelers to continue planning their trips to the Caribbean this season,” said AAA Travel Vice President Sarah Henshall. “Our heart goes out to the areas affected by recent hurricanes. Besides donating to charities of your choice, the best ways to keep things as normal as possible for the region is to continue to support its booming tourism business in the areas that were out of harms way.”

AAA experts recommend that travelers look to these popular Caribbean destinations, which sustained minimal or no damage, for their upcoming travels:

 

  • Antigua
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bonaire
  • Curaçao
  • Dominican Republic
  • Jamaica
  • Martinique
  • Saint Lucia
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Vincent & The Grenadines
  • The Cayman Islands
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos
  • St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Additionally, the Florida Keys have reopened to travelers ahead of schedule following Hurricane Irma, and Mexico saw little impact to its tourism infrastructure following two recent earthquakes and Hurricane Katia, which made landfall in the eastern part of the country.

For anyone planning a trip during hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) or to a destination recently affected by a storm, AAA Travel experts offer the following tips:

  • Work with a travel agent – A trusted travel agent can serve as the travelers’ advocate, helping them remain informed and assisting with any itinerary changes that need to be made in the event of a storm.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance – Travel insurance is designed to offer protection against sudden and unforeseen events, such as hurricanes. Typically, travelers must have purchased travel insurance prior to a storm being “named” to receive hurricane-related coverage benefits.
  • Remain informed – Before, during and after a storm, travelers should check with their travel providers—including hotels, airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, and tour operators—for the latest updates to itineraries or cancellation and rebooking policies.
  • Be flexible and remember to pack your patience – In the event of a hurricane, travel plans may be disrupted, even for those not traveling to an affected area. For example, cruise ships often adjust their itineraries to avoid storms or help accommodate travelers on other routes.
  • Share your plans – Before any international trip, enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This makes it easier for the nearest embassy or consulate to contact U.S. citizens in case of an emergency.
  • Check for Diamonds – AAA’s professional inspectors conduct on-site evaluations of nearly 59,000 Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants across the Caribbean, United States, Canada and Mexico. If something goes wrong at one of these properties, AAA’s member relations team is available to help members resolve their concerns.

Travelers should also remember that Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30, and it’s important for anyone traveling during this time to heed the advice of travel experts and plan ahead for any unforeseen severe weather.

For more information or to begin planning a trip, visit AAA.com/Travel.

AAA Carolinas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2.1 million member and the public with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

For more information on this press release, please contact:

Public Relations Manager
Tiffany Wright
tmwright@aaacarolinas.com
Work : 704-737-8306
Cell : 704-569-7768