By Bloomberg Wire
06:00 on October 8, 2020 CDT
Allen Chastanet, the prime minister of St. Lucia, had the idea of getting lucky: his idea of an island as an “epidemic-free” zone when the Zika virus swept through the Caribbean in 2016, and also saved the hurricanes that hit its neighbors in 2017. But then COVID-19 arrived.
“This has had devastating effects on our economy and the livelihood of our citizens,” Chastanet said.
In fact, 65% of the island’s gross domestic product comes from tourism, and the island experienced an 89% dramatic drop in arrivals from March to July, reducing overall government profits by nearly 60% this year, and attempts to lower the island’s already highest unemployment rate by 25% has intensified in the opposite direction.
Elsewhere in the Caribbean, tourism officials began in 2020 with optimism that this would be the year when it will recover from the billions of dollars in hurricane-related losses, but no matter where you look, that’s not how the story unfolded.
Saint Lucia lifted her guest ban on June 4, after 20 long weeks of prioritizing fitness problems. It is the first Caribbean country, along with Antigua and Barbuda, to reopen. By early July, that list had grown to include only a handful of other islands, such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, as well as some start-up and closure efforts that failed when new instances of the coronavirus emerged.
Now the waiting game reaches its peak. Almost part of the 28 caribbean island nations have to reopen their borders.
The “festive” season, the era of peak vacation at the end of the year, when warm weather destinations make an abundant percentage of their tourism profits, is on the horizon, and the Caribbean islands are contemplating recovering some of the estimated losses of $44 billion. region as a result of COVID-19.
While St. Lucia and its Caribbean neighbors are among the countries of the world most dependent on tourism, Chastenet is feeling the pressure. “Our tourism industry will have to co-exist with COVID to recover,” he said.
The eBook reading settings on the destination.
“While sales options like the Cayman Islands can remain closed smoothly, as they have other sectors such as offshore banking, most Caribbean destinations only have to let visitors in to survive,” said Daniel Marmontello, Chief Strategy Director of Apple Leisure Group. , whose subsidiaries come with CheapCaribbean. com.
While all islands adopt protection protocols to restrict COVID-19 cases, the number of hoops that require travelers to cross differs not only from country to country, but from week to week. Constant.
For travelers to spend a tropical vacation at record costs this winter, these are the islands that provide the most powerful arguments for visitors to return, and all the fine print to think about.
The big sale: the ease of access. The country opened its borders in July, but in September eliminated the requirement for a negative COVID-19 access test and instead offers flexible fitness insurance as a component of its plan to reactivate guilty tourism.
Opening status: Yes, it can fly, but two-thirds of the country’s hotels (mostly all-inclusive establishments) have still reopened, with a restart date in November.
Fine Print: Simple policies require you to complete an affidavit of physical fitness before you arrive, and airports conduct immediate random testing.
Where to stay: With limited COVID-19 restrictions at the government level, it now depends on individual homes performing certain practices For this, Casa de Campo is attractive: 7,000-acre assets are their own secluded retreat, with an airport, marina and hospital on site.
The great sale: a paradise for personal travelers. Since no major advertising airline lands on its extraordinarily short and exclusive runway, there are fewer COVID-19 threats stranded on its shores. “This summer, we flew 400% more than usual,” said David Zipkin, founder of Tradewind Avation,” and between 40 and 50% of [these] personal trips were for new customers. “
Opening state: The island reopened its borders on June 22.
Small letter: Arriving customers must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR check performed within 3 days of landing, and all travelers who stay more than a week must pass a moment verification on the seventh day of their stopover in (expect it to charge more than $150).
Where to stay: The beloved Eden Rock, with its central location on the cliff, still re-opened on October 22, after a multi-year reconstruction effort that followed Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The big sale: carry on your privacy in style. The Turks and Caicos Islands are lately the most sensible destination this winter for electronic villa reservations, according to Amanda Dyjecinski, Onefinestay’s marketing director for luxury rentals. long-term travelers.
Open state: Borders were opened on July 22.
Small letter: A COVID-19 PCR check with negative effects must be less than five days before arrival, and all passengers must provide evidence of insurance upon landing.
Where to stay: The personal island of Como Parrot Cay reopened on October 1, with 1,000 acres along a white sandy beach for biking, hiking and personal dining.
The Big Sale: A Time Device We Will Take from 2020. The Caribbean’s strictest public fitness policies have helped maintain Anguel’s impeccable COVID-19 record: there were only 3 cases shown (and 0 deaths) of the pandemic. The on-demand scale includes a payment of approximately $250 according to the corresponding data and covers two PCR tests, one administered before arrival and the other under strict quarantine on the island. After that, no mask is required and life will return to be like 2019.
Opening status: Anguel reopened in August, but for villa stays. Hotels and resorts are lately in soft green by November.
The fine print: until “phase two” begins in November, a villa will be your only accommodation option and travellers who stay five days or less will have to pay an additional payment for applicable COVID-19 monitoring; It is priced at $500 depending on the couple. Those who stay between six and 90 days will also have to pay a payment for searching for contact with the canopy and other containment efforts on the island, around $600 depending on the couple.
Where to Stay: AtNI Private Resorts offers a raunchy hybrid of villa with hotel amenities. As soon as it opens on November 1, Belmond’s Cape Juluca offers plenty of space to wander, as well as special luxuries like new towels and dining. the sunbeds.
The big sale: Move in right away. With the creation of the one-year Work From Bermuda certificate, which allows visitors to evade the classic bureaucratic obstacles of a transitional move, Atlantic Island hopes to catch extended-stay visitors to attend their Zoom meetings with genuine ocean bottoms.
Opening status: International flights resumed on July 1, from the East Coast, Toronto and London.
Small letter: Travellers must complete a form of authorization prior to arrival and will get a negative COVID-19 result after a check within seven days of the flight. A $75 payment will cover an additional check upon arrival, as well as 3 additional checks for travelers staying two weeks or more. Visitors are asked to bring their own thermometers and also disclose their temperatures.
Where to stay: The 120 square meter Harbour Suites are 120 square meters long and have a suitable living and dining room, best for long-term island living.
The big sale: accessibility. While Caribbean hotels have reduced their rates, Prime Minister Chastenet is working with airlines to offer reduced airfares until 2021 as well.
Opening status: International flights resumed in June on the top 4 U. S. airlines.
Small letter: travelers must complete a pre-arrival registration form and download a negative COVID-19 PCR result within seven days of travel; Approved taxis can only be used upon arrival, and visitors are relegated to their COVID-19 compliant hotels throughout their stay.
Where to stay: Jade Mountain remains an eternal favorite; its rooms, maximum with their own infinity pool, are open to the majestic Piton Mountains.
Bloomberg Wire
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