By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AFTER an extensive $4m hurricane restoration, Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort reopened its newly renovated property to guests and is expecting 90 per cent occupancy during the Christmas season.

The all-inclusive property welcomed its first group visitors on Saturday with the arrival of 90 Canadian guests by Sunwing Airlines.

Viva suffered significant hurricane damage on October 6 caused by Hurricane Matthew. The resort was closed for more than two months.

Loyda Torres, of Viva, said: “There is a feeling of excitement throughout the property, especially after the break caused by Hurricane Matthew.

“We are really happy to be back; you have to take the good things from the bad side but it helps us to improve, so 2017 will be great.”

Claudio Natella, general manager, said the resort has a really good local rate at $80 per person with single occupancy, which is all-inclusive.

“In fact, for every adult paid, we allow one kid from two to 12-years-old free,” he said.

The occupancy rate is around 32 per cent, but levels are expected to peak during the Christmas season to 90 per cent by December 22.

Viva is one of the few all-inclusive properties open on Grand Bahama post Hurricane Matthew. It offers everything from food and beverages, nautical and motorised sports, to theme nights and parties, as well as beach access.

Betty Bethel, director at the Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, believes that Viva’s ability to offer an upgraded product for the arrival of the guests to Grand Bahama is very significant.

“Not too long ago, we didn’t think that we would have any winter service at all, and here we are today. Viva has opened with a brand new $4 million dollar injection into the property and they are receiving guests from Toronto via Sunwing,” she said.

Despite the many challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Ms Bethel said that the reopening of the resort proves that Grand Bahama still has a product to offer.