Burnt down Villa Hortensia owners meet tourism minister |18 July 2015

Marlette and Germain Ernesta, the owners of the Villa Hortensia of La Digue that was completely destroyed by fire on June 29, 2015 met Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange and tourism principal secretary Anne Lafortune this week.

A very emotional Marlette and Germain Ernesta who gave a detailed brief to the minister about the time they realised that their recently licensed home-grown small hotel on La Digue had caught fire in the evening of June 29.  

The fire incident destroyed the dream of the La Digue couple but they confirmed that they want to rebuild their small hotel.

"I encourage you both to rebuild and assure you both that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture will stand by you and try to help you in the rebuilding of your property," said Minister St Ange, who assured them that he will encourage every government department to ease the rebuilding process.

The couple plan to rebuild their small hotel on the location and using the same building plans used to construct the original property.

Marlette said she was already fully booked for the forthcoming Feat of the Assumption celebrated on August 15 and is now trying to relocate guests holding reservations at the Villa Hortensia small hotel on La Digue.