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6Jamaica hints at possible cruises
Jamaica hints at possible cruises, updates entry requirements
By Cindy Sosroutomo
TORONTO — Cruising has picked up signifi cant steam in recent days, with Crystal announcing on March 11 that it will be resuming operations this summer and now word coming from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) that it’s currently in talks with several cruise lines about the possibility of homeporting in Jamaica this year. The news, announced by Donovan White, JTB’s Director of Tourism during a recent virtual travel trade briefi ng, would be a signifi cant development in Jamaica’s recovery plan, as the cruise industry represents a major economic driver for the island.
According to White, if all goes well there’ll be cruise itineraries across three or four diff erent ports in Jamaica. After fl ying to the island, cruisers will be taken to their cruise port before embarking on voyages that either remain in Jamaican waters or sail to other islands before returning to Jamaica.
“We will have more to say in the coming weeks but you can be assured that conversations are indeed happening and the necessary policy and strategic frameworks that are required to make this a reality are, in fact, in place and are being reshaped where necessary,” said White.
When it comes to recovery, Jamaica has fared better than other tourist destinations, thanks to swift health and safety measures taken early on in the pandemic. Like with many destinations, Jamaica temporarily closed its borders to tourists last March in an eff ort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but managed to roll out its phased reopening by mid-June during which time a Resilient Corridor was introduced from Negril to Port Antonio. Within this stretch of coastline, designated hotels and resorts, all of which had implemented stringent safety measures, safely welcomed back tourists to Jamaica’s shores. In those fi rst two weeks after its reopening Jamaica welcomed just over 7,000 visitors, “which we saw as an encouraging sign,” said White. Momentum continued to build, boosted by Air Canada’s resumption of service in June, and by July and August the island was
Donovan White, JTB’s Director of Tourism
seeing over 80,000 visitors. In December, its highest visitor arrivals month in 2020, Jamaica welcomed just over 90,000 visitors. “The establishment of Resilient Corridors was a critical measure in which the destination sought to manage the
pandemic,” added White. “At a time when very little was known about the COVID-19 virus, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health & Wellness worked together with international tourism and health organizations to identify health and safety protocols that would keep our travellers and local communities safe upon reopening.” Jamaica was on track to build on December’s promising numbers in 2021, but then came the news of Canada’s cancelled winter sun fl ights in January, a measure taken by the federal government to protect Canada’s borders from concerning COVID-19 variants. With no fl ights coming in from Canada until April 30, Jamaica saw a dip in January arrivals with some 43,800 visitors. February looks to be more encouraging, however, with preliminary estimates putting total visitor arrivals at just over 50,000. “The Canadian market has been extremely soft,” said White. “Most of the carriers did not restart when we reopened and the ones that did since the reclosure of borders or the grounding of air travel out of Canada, those bookings have signifi cantly softened. Looking ahead even six months out, as of right now we are still relatively low. We’re still less than 10% of room nights booked compared to 2019 at the same time, so it’s extremely soft.”
White did, however, report a “phenomenal” level of responsiveness from travel agents and tour operator partners in Canada, as well as client demand and requests for opportunities in Jamaica. When asked how he feels about Canada’s ongoing travel
restrictions, considered among the most stringent in the world, White said: “Canada’s leadership must determine what’s best for their citizens, and Canadians have responded in kind and, for the most part, yielded to the request of their Prime Minister, and we respect that. We understand that it’s a pandemic. But we remain confi dent that we will have our fair share of the Canadian travel marketplace once fl ights resume from airports out of Canada.”
Here are more updates from the briefi ng: UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
As of March 4, 2021, all travellers to Jamaica 12 years of age and over, regardless of nationality, are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result to check in for a fl ight to Jamaica. Negative test results must be presented to the airline representative in order to complete the check-in for their fl ight. In addition, Jamaica has shortened the window travellers have to take a COVID-19 test prior to their arrival, from 10 days to three. For travel after March 10, 2021, the date of the sample collection must be within three days of the travel date.
Moreover, according to White, in addition to being tested prior to departure to Jamaica, business travellers must also be tested upon arrival.
When asked whether these new updates were made in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Jamaica, White said it was a combination of global standards as well as greater community transmission in recent weeks. “It’s in our best interest from a health perspective to protect Jamaicans and do whatever we can to keep our economy open because the last thing we want to do is to be in a situation where you are importing more cases of the virus, which would only deepen our own cases and aff ect our economy,” he said. “It really is about looking ahead and trying to manage as best we can while at the same time ensuring that we can maintain economic activity.”
For the latest information on Jamaica’s entry requirements go to www.visit jamaica.com/travelauthorization. JAMAICA CARES’ INSURANCE PROGRAM STILL TO COME
After the launch of Jamaica’s groundbreaking Jamaica Cares program last fall, White confi rmed that the insurance and health logistics portion of the program is still being “reimagined.” At its launch in October 2020, the program was described as a fi rst-of-its-kind traveller protection and emergency services program comprising two parts: an ‘All Hazards’ program that covers case management, transportation, fi eld rescue, evacuation and repatriation for medical emergencies and other crises; and international health coverage up to US$100,000 for visitors as well as on-island health coverage up to $50,000. The program, mandatory for all foreign travellers, would come at a cost of $40 and was scheduled to launch by end of 2020. “To be clear, Jamaica Cares is not an end-to-end health logistics program. The insurance and health logistics of the Jamaica Cares program is still under development and will come to market fairly soon,” said White. “We are still aggressively pursuing that aspect of the
program but it’s not quite there yet and we do not and will not bring half-baked products to the marketplace. We want to make sure that we get it right and that we have done all the necessary research to ensure that when we bring it to market, that it’s indeed a successful addition to our destination assurance programs.”
White noted that rather than just a health insurance program, Jamaica Cares should be regarded as encompassing Jamaica’s destination-wide response to the pandemic, which includes testing at hotels and resorts and other health and safety protocols. “It’s about responding nimbly and showing resilience in the evolving landscape, using innovation to enable fun and authenticity but also ensuring health and safety,” he added. “Through Jamaica Cares, we instill confi dence in travel specialists and trade partners to showcase that Jamaica is safe to book and benefi cial to sell. But it is important to note that Jamaica Cares will continue to evolve.”
White went on to highlight key steps in Jamaica’s expansive response to the pandemic, including the recent ramping up of COVID-19 testing at resorts, airports and participating laboratories. More than 40 hotels and resorts are currently providing testing on property for their guests, while over 15 labs have also been granted approval to provide testing. Plus, testing resources have been added at Sangster International Airport and Norman Manley International Airport.
“This comprehensive, destination-wide approach, paired with a laserlike focus, will bring the public and private sectors together to turn any obstacles into opportunities and ensure we are delivering the highest levels of health for our visitors, tourism workers and, indeed, our local communities,” added White.
WHAT ABOUT VACCINATION PASSPORTS?
When asked his opinion on vaccination passports and whether Jamaica will one day allow vaccinated tourists to arrive without the need for testing, similar to Belize, White said the issue is still a matter of policy at the ministerial level. He did acknowledge that “conversations” are currently taking place between government heads and that an update specifi cally about the matter is expected in a couple weeks.
As of now, the government is currently focused on Jamaica’s national vaccination program, which rolled out on March 10. As more and more Jamaicans become vaccinated, said White, travellers coming to Jamaica will have “the added assurance that there is an active and aggressive vaccination program happening.” This, he added, will “hopefully add to their own personal security, knowing that they’re going to a destination that has taken COVID-19 extremely seriously and has been at the forefront of driving policy that protects lives and livelihoods and provide a safe environment for our visitors.”
Travellers who enter Belize through the airport and provide proof of COVID-19 immunization are no longer required to present a negative test result for entry, according to a new health order now in effect. Vaccinated travellers must present the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, and the vaccine must have been administered at least two weeks prior to arrival. Non-vaccinated travellers are still required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative rapid Antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel to Belize. If passengers fail to present a negative PCR or antigen test, travellers can get one at the airport at the traveler’s expense, for US$50. Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has also expanded testing to facilitate all persons departing from Belize for travel to the U.S. and other countries that require a negative test result for entry. Canada requires a 72-hour PCR test. For more details go to travelbelize.org/health-safety.
Celestyal Cruises
billion in 2021. It will take three years for the hotel industry to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The world’s largest hotel chains lost $14 billion in revenue amid the pandemic. Wyndham Worldwide, the biggest hotel chain in the world by the number of hotels, saw revenues drop 36% amid the pandemic, falling from over $2 billion in 2019 to $1.3 billion in 2020. Choice Hotels International's revenue was down 31% or $340.7 million for 2020. Marriott International, saw revenue fall $10.4 billion. Hilton Worldwide Holdings had a $1.5 billion revenue loss in 2020.
AIRLINES
Emirates is offering Economy Class customers the chance to purchase up to three empty adjoining seats on their flight to address the need for extra privacy and space. These seats will be offered to all Economy Class customers holding a confirmed booking. Customers will not be able to pre-book empty seats as these are subject to availability, but rather empty seats will only be offered for purchase at the airport check-in counter prior to flight departure. Costs range from US$55-$165 per empty seat, plus applicable taxes depending on flight sector. In addition, Emirates currently offers a variety of seat products for Economy Class customers, including Extra legroom seats, Twin seats, Preferred seats and Regular seats. These seats are offered for free or at a charge, depending on the customer’s Emirates Skywards membership tier, fare type, time of departure and other special needs.
CRUISE LINES
Celestyal Cruises will be resuming operations on May 28 from Piraeus, Athens with its seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ itinerary, a month later than its previously planned start of the season for the end of April. Guests currently booked on the cancelled late April through May voyages will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the amount paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 20% of the actual cruise fare paid. Plus, guests currently holding FCCs as well as those about to receive FCCs can apply their FCC towards Celestyal’s soon-to-be-announced 2023 itineraries in addition to 2021 and 2022 itineraries. The seven-night ‘Idyllic Aegean’ itinerary starts at US$729 per person and will call upon Kusadasi, Rhodes, Santorini, Lavrion, Mykonos, Milos and Crete.
HOTELS & RESORTS
A Statista survey cited by StockApps.com indicates that the global hotel industry's revenue dropped to US$198.6 billion in 2020, a 46% decrease year-over-year. Revenues for the global hotel industry are expected to grow by 43.4% yearover-year and reach $284.7 billion in 2021, down $83 billion from 2019. The survey also found that the entire sector is expected to witness a recovery with revenues rising by $86.2
Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe
THEME PARKS
Work is resuming on Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe, the widely anticipated, 750-acre attraction featuring a new theme park, entertainment centre, hotels, shops, restaurants and more, located just a few miles from Universal Orlando’s current theme parks in Southwest Orange County. Work on Epic Universe was paused in July 2020 as the company adjusted plans in the midst of the pandemic. The restart will begin immediately but is expected to take several months before reaching full-speed as Universal re-staffs for the project and reassembles its vendor and contractor teams. Restarting Epic Universe will result in hundreds of jobs within Universal and thousands of jobs across Central Florida. Upon completion it will infuse billions of dollars into the Florida economy and also create more than 14,000 permanent jobs.
