Cyclone Garance battered the French overseas territory of Réunion on February 28, leaving a trail of destruction, loss of life and infrastructure damage. The cyclone subsided on Monday, March 3.
As the island begins its recovery process, the tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with hotels largely spared from major damage and flights resuming normal operations, Chantelle Pearson, Owner of Travel2Reunion, a tour operator specialising in Réunion and surrounding destinations, told Travel News.
According to authorities, the cyclone claimed at least four lives and caused several injuries. Winds reached speeds of up to 214kph at Roland-Garros Airport and resulted in widespread power outages that left approximately 180 000 households without electricity.
The cyclone also severely affected the water supply, with nearly 310 000 people, or 36% of the population, left without access to drinking water due to infrastructure damage.
The cyclone also wreaked havoc on communication networks. About 32% of subscribers lost access to the Internet and landlines, and 35% were cut off from mobile phone services.
Despite these setbacks, the tourism sector has proved its resilience. “Many hotels are already up and functioning,” said Pearson. “Tourism still continues on the island, and we always ensure all tourists are 100% safe and we are in contact with them.”
Stephane Bonneau, Head of International Markets Development at Réunion Tourism, also told Travel News about the ongoing recovery efforts.
“Cyclone Garance has indeed impacted the island, with significant infrastructure damage, particularly in some coastal and mountainous areas. However, recovery efforts are well under way, supported by a strong national and local mobilisation to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Teams from the island’s electricity provider, EDF, are fully mobilised to restore electricity. Meanwhile, road infrastructure was being cleared to facilitate access to affected areas and speed up necessary repairs, Pearson added.
She also confirmed that Air Austral flights were operating normally.
“Despite these challenges, many tourist sites, hotels and activities remain accessible, and the island is progressively returning to its vibrant rhythm. Key places and cultural sites are welcoming visitors, and the hospitality sector is actively ensuring the best conditions for travellers,” said Bonneau.
“Authorities and local stakeholders are working diligently to ensure the safety and comfort of both residents and visitors. We encourage travellers to stay informed via travel agencies and DMCs. They can also contact their accommodation or service providers for real-time updates,” concluded Bonneau.
