The Palm Beaches Made A Remarkable Rebound Quickly After Hurricane Irma

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – October 9, 2017 – Although we have overcome therecuperation of Hurricane Irma, we can reflect and appreciate the fact that our precious cultural communities' were unharmed from the potential damage that could have afflicted local organizations. One week after Hurricane Irma struck Florida, 98 percent of Palm Beach County's hotels and 90 percent of the region's cultural attractions were open, according to Discover The Palm Beaches, the official tourism marketing corporation for Palm Beach County. It was truly remarkable how quickly the community was able to bounce back after the devastation, and were very lucky to have been spared the destruction of cultural attractions, hotels, and businesses as the path of Irma was forecasted to do. The team work of not only Palm Beach County, but individuals from surrounding states made it possible for the community to fully recover from the damage in only a few weeks. Discover The Palm Beaches created an aerial video on YouTube on Friday, September 15, to showcase an accurate portrayal of the region from a bird's eye view after the storm: https://youtu.be/lJWGLv0YMvo

Palm Beach County was in fact among the fastest regions in the state to recover, with Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) opening within 48 hours after the storm, as the first airport in South Florida to reopen. Palm Beach County parks also re-opened 54 parks to the public on September 15, and all the region's public golf courses have guests hitting the links and enjoying the Florida sunshine.

"We are fortunate that The Palm Beaches experienced comparatively little damage from Irma, and our hearts go out to those who sustained the full impact," said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO for Discover The Palm Beaches. "Palm Beach County only experienced power outages and uprooted trees, and recovered in 72 hours. All area tourist attractions are open, vibrant and bustling, and the ocean is as inviting as ever."

"We are relieved and happy to report that Hurricane Irma spared the majority of Palm Beach County's many cultural organizations, including museums, performance spaces, public artworks and sculpture gardens that make The Palm Beaches so special. No catastrophic damage has been reported and almost all are operating normally," said Rena Blades, president and CEO of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

Palm Beach County's Parks and Recreation Director Eric Call added, "Fortunately, Palm Beach County's park system was spared the direct impact of the storm. While we did sustain some damage to our landscape and coastal dunes, we're quickly recovering, and our parks and beaches will remain top destinations for the county's residents and visitors."

The Palm Beaches are home to nearly 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from historic resorts to boutique inns. The prestigious destination features more than 200 art and culture organizations, world-class luxury and antique shopping experiences, 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities,160 golf courses, award-winning restaurants and a thriving year-round entertainment scene.

Three major airports serving The Palm Beaches give the destination easy access. With Tri-Rail and the soon-to-open Brightline (high-speed commuter rail-service), the Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale International Airport are within easy reach.

About Discover The Palm Beaches
Discover The Palm Beaches, formerly the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the official tourism marketing corporation that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns and 15 tourism districts spanning more than 2,200 square miles and 47 miles of pristine beaches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, commonly referred to as "The Palm Beaches." Tourism is among Palm Beach County's major industries, generating $4.6 billion in direct visitor spending and supporting more than 66,000 jobs with an economic impact of approximately $7 billion. Once recognized as a tropical escape for elite travelers in the late 1800s, America's First Resort Destination® is making its resurgence as The Best Way To Experience Florida®, welcoming a record-breaking 7.35 million people in 2016. The Palm Beaches are home to nearly 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from historic resorts to boutique inns. The destination features more than 100 family-friendly attractions, world-class luxury and antique shopping experiences, 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, more than 150 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean's Gulf Stream current, 160 golf courses, award-winning restaurants, and a thriving entertainment scene boasting more than 200 art and culture organizations. Situated along I-95, The Palm Beaches are also home to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), with more than 200 daily direct flights to 27 domestic and international destinations in the United States and Canada.