Here's a small excerpt this week from Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief, Caribbean Journal:

"So what should you do, as someone who loves the Caribbean?

Come back.

Of course, you should donate to any legitimate charity, send money to those in need, donate items for relief and recovery, something we’ll continue to highlight in the coming weeks.

But the biggest thing you can do for the livelihood of this whole region is to keep coming back to the Caribbean.
For now, keep traveling to the islands that were unaffected. Then, stay updated as islands rebuild and recover, and then travel there when they’re ready to welcome you.

Because tourism remains the life blood of the Caribbean — it is the way this beautiful region makes a living, and without it there is no oil or copper or large industry to fall back on.

It is the fundament of the Caribbean economy, and it is a direct conduit to the pocketbooks of the people of this region.
Hurricane Irma put the Caribbean in an unfortunate global spotlight. But in a few weeks, the spotlight will dim and the news cycle will forget.
You cannot forget.

Keep coming back. Because the Caribbean is still here. And it is not going anywhere."

"For now, keep traveling to the islands that were unaffected. Then stay updated as islands rebuild and recover, and then travel there when they're ready to welcome you".
Amen.

Great advice! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I agree, but who determines just when (they) are ready for visitors. It seems the businesses are already courting people to come back, and they need that. Lots of people say they are going in early 2018. We have air fair for April, but no lodging. I'm conflicted and am airing on the side of returning maybe 2019.

If the resort you usually stay in is not reopened...and you are not willing to stay in a different resort...if the company you rent cars from is not reopened...and you are not willing to rent a car from another company....if the restaurants you frequent are not reopened....and you are not willing to go to others...

then obviously...you are the one who gets to determine whether or not you can return. It is not anyone else's decision as to whether you spend your money on a vacation.

I fly into the Dutch side....I rent a car from AAA....I stay at club Orient...and i go to restaurants and stores in Grand case or the cul de sac.

I was booked to go this April as I have every April since 2000. I will be back when those places are back in business.

Meanwhile I will substitute by going to Jamaica in April 2018. It is not what I wanted...and it is not the same kind of vacation...and I won't pretend it is. My thoughts and prayers will still be for SXM...and I have contributed financially to SXM as well. I hope with every fiber of my being that when April 2019 arrives I am back in my favorite place on earth.If not...then I will hope for April 2020.

I also was at Club O last April and was scheduled to be there again this year. I'm pretty sure i could cobble together the rest of the pieces and be there and commute to the Club during the days. I don't know if that helps or impedes the progress for recovery? Good for some, bad for others?.......I will probably air on the side of caution.

I read that the airport for now is dictating on when and who will be able to visit. Not the tourists.

Well, that's not exactly true. The immigration department is making requirements that people prove they have lodging when they arrive, but that's not the same as them dictating when and who will be able to visit.