A hotel owner from the same tourist region where 14-year-old Miller Gardner was found dead explained how her business has already been impacted in the tragic aftermath.
Lamia Funti, who owns Casa Lamia Restaurant & Lodge in Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio region, exclusively told Us Weekly how attitudes have shifted since Miller, the son of former Yankees player Brett Gardner, died at a nearby resort on Friday, March 21.
“That has affected us terribly,” Funti told Us on Friday, March 28. “Everyone is affected a lot, everyone knows about the situation. At the moment, I have had 12 cancellations, which is huge. Usually, we barely have cancellations.”
Funti said the cancellations started rolling in on Monday, the day after Miller’s parents, Brett and Jessica, announced their son’s death.
The hotel owner said reservations have been “super low” this week and cancellations greatly impact next week’s outlook, as well.
“The concern would be if this drags on,” Funti said. “That could be terribly damaging, especially with the arrival of the low season and everything. It’s already affecting us, everyone who owns hotels has said the same thing.”
Funti told the story of a friend in the United States who “organizes group travels to Costa Rica.”
After news of Miller’s death, group members requested to “cancel everything in Manuel Antonio and they went to the Caribbean and other places.”
The Gardner family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, roughly two miles from Casa Lamia.
In a Thursday, March 27, statement to Us Weekly, Costa Rica’s National Chamber of Tourism attempted to calm potential travelers’ nerves about Miller’s death and insisted hotel business had not been impacted.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the young man who passed away,” said Shirley Calvo, executive director of the Chamber of Tourism. “We are truly saddened by this situation.”
The statement continued, “So far, no cancellations or impacts on tourism activity have been reported as a result of this unfortunate event. While various speculations have circulated regarding the possible causes of death, we believe this is an isolated and uncommon case in our country.”
Miller and all the members of his immediate family became severely ill after dining at a restaurant off the resort’s premises on the evening of Thursday, March 20.
They were all administered medication by a doctor once back at the resort. Miller was found dead in his hotel room the next morning.
A cause of death for Miller has not been determined. Officials estimate results will take at least two or three months.
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