Destination News

Jamaica Pursues Wellness Focused Tourism Initiative

KINGSTON, JAMAICA – September 28, 2020 – As the sun rises on the morning of October 2, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White and members of the Jamaica Cycling Association will crank up the RPMs as they partake in the first leg of Discover Jamaica by Bike. A local event, this will serve as a pilot for a consumer cycling experience that will debut in spring 2021. The ride, which begins in Port Antonio and concludes in Kingston on October 5, will lay the groundwork for a new tourism initiative rooted in active travel and the development of outdoor programs that will allow visitors to embrace the island’s natural beauty while enabling physical distancing.

“Jamaica has always prided herself on delivering a tourism product that is ideally suited to deliver what visitors desire,” said Director White. “Discover Jamaica By Bike continues that legacy as it taps into our collective renewed focus on health and wellness coupled with safe, physically-distanced activities. We know that cycling has become a fitness activity of choice for many through this pandemic, and we are confident that development of a bookable experience around this itinerary will drive continued interest in the destination through a new lens.”

Discover Jamaica by Bike will kick-off with a press conference at Goblin Hill on Thursday, October 1. Officials from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Ministry of Tourism will be on hand to share details about the event as well as possible marketing efforts to promote it to international attendees. From October 2 – 5, participants will trek along the Resilient Corridors through Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril, South Coast to Kingston, with the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel being the final stop.

Key elements from the October itinerary will be the basis for a consumer-facing itinerary that will showcase different components of the destination with a number of partners along the route. Biking enthusiasts will experience firsthand the rolling hills, beaches and many towns along the way that make Jamaica such a unique destination.

For more information on Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Arrivals Begin Gradual Rise

(ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA) September 23, 2020 –  As Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Industry stakeholders prepare for peak season,  tourism officials are cautiously optimistic that with arrivals steadily increasing each month since the destination’s re-opening, that the moderate upward trend will continue into the traditionally busy tourism period.

For the year to August 2020, tourism stayover arrivals show that the destination received 94,810 visitors. Though arrivals dipped drastically in March due to reduced airlift brought on by the global pandemic, as the V.C Bird International Airport re-opened to international flights in June, monthly visitor arrivals have more than doubled from then until the end of August.

For the month of August, the destination received 4761 visitors, with 67% of these visitors travelling from the United States, followed by 21% from the United Kingdom & Europe, 7% from the Caribbean and 3% from Canada.

Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez noted that: “The Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority continue to carefully monitor the Covid-19 landscape within our main source markets. We remain committed to working with the Ministry of Health and the entire Antigua and Barbuda Tourism sector to ensure that as the destination opens up further, we keep those protective measures in place that have been designed to safeguard our residents and those who visit our shores.”

The Tourism Minister explained that it would not be business as normal, as with the pandemic ongoing, Covid-19 protocols would still require visitors to travel with their negative PCR test, wear facial masks when social distancing was not possible and adhere to other  protocols stipulated by the Ministry of Health.  For tourism businesses, he noted that protocols would also affect operations, and in some instances would mean reduced occupancy levels.

Presently American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, interCaribbean Airlines and Winair are operating flights into the destination.  In the next few months, Antigua and Barbuda will welcome, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, and Sunwing.

In October, additional hotel re-openings have also been planned.  These include Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association member hotels:  Blue Waters Resort, Tamarind Hills, Hermitage Bay, Antigua Village, Galley Bay, Carlisle Bay Resort, St. James’s Club, The Great House, Antigua Yacht Club Marina, Ocean Point Resort, Curtain Bluff Resort, and Hawksbill.

“Each hotel or accommodation offering that has opened has been inspected by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health, to ensure that they are adhering to the covid-19 protocols set for tourism accommodation.   Over   two hundred properties have been inspected to date ranging from small bed & breakfast styled properties, to the larger all-inclusives,” said the Tourism Minister. The full listing of all tourism properties certified as of September 15 by the Ministry of Tourism’s Quality Assurance Unit, can be viewed here

The Ministry of Tourism also recently released to the Antigua and Barbuda yachting sector, operational guidelines, and protocols for the sector.  These protocols are also available on www.visitantiguabarbuda.com

The Tourism Minister urged the tourism sector to remain mindful of the Covid-19 protocols in place that all key players should be guided by during the tourism recovery.

ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Voted the World Travel Awards 2015, 2016 and 2017 Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination, the twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 17 mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.  Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter. http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda  Facebook www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda

For media enquiries, please contact:
Maria Blackman
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority

T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com

TTAL begins distribution of $50M tourism grant

SCARBOROUGH Tobago, Thursday September 17 2020: Tobago’s tourism accommodation owners received a helping hand from the government to upgrade their properties, as the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) began distribution of a 50 million dollar Tourism Accommodation Relief Grant (TARG).

TARG was developed by the Tobago House of Assembly to ensure that the island’s tourism sector can be helped onto a pathway to wider economic and social recovery post COVID-19, with grants for eligible tourism accommodation facilities on the island.

As of Monday (September 14) payments have started, and 18 successful applications have been processed with a mixture of hotels, villas, self-catering apartments and guest houses to receive the first half of their grant allocations.

With TARG, property owners are able to access funding as categorized by their number of guestrooms, ranging from a maximum of $100,000TTD for 2-7 rooms, $300,000TTD for 8-50 rooms, $500,000TTD for 51-99 rooms, and $600,000TTD for 100 rooms or more.

TTAL received over 50 applications for the grant to date, and have been undertaking comprehensive audits of each property over the past few weeks, including physical site inspections. The grant’s comprehensive application process was developed to ensure that legitimate tourism accommodation providers can access the necessary funding to aid in their resilience and recovery during this challenging period.

TTAL’s Director of Product Development and Destination Management Mr. Narendra Ramgulam stated: “From a product development standpoint, this grant is a significant stepping stone in face-lifting and improving destination Tobago’s accommodation plant, so that we have competitive and improved products in the near future, and can continue to deliver experiences to our visitors that go beyond the ordinary.”

For more information about the Tourism Accommodation Upgrade Grant, visit the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited’s website at https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/corporate/tobago-tourism-sector-relief-grants

Bahamas Minister of Tourism Presents Forward-Looking Tourism Plan

NASSAU, Bahamas – September 7, 2020 – In a national address today, Monday, September 7, Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar announced additional details of the forward-looking recovery and reopening plan for The Islands of The Bahamas. D’Aguilar reiterated the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to revitalizing the country’s tourism industry while emphasizing that the health and wellbeing of citizens, residents and visitors of The Bahamas remain paramount.

Beginning October 15, The Bahamas will enter Phase 3 of the Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan ahead of the busy holiday season, which will include the reopening of beaches and major hotels.  

Since 1950, tourism has played an integral role in The Bahamas’ economy, accounting for more than 50% of the country’s GDP and 60% of national employment. The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on global tourism and The Bahamas’ economy has felt the impact, particularly following 2019’s record-breaking tourism numbers, where the country welcomed 7.2 million visitors. The country’s in-depth Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan outlines a strategic, phased reopening strategy to ensure a comfort level that The Bahamas is a safe and healthy destination for both visitors and residents to enjoy.

PHASED REOPENING

As part of Phase 3, beaches and major hotels will reopen on all islands. Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar announced that all hotel guests must abide by a 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP), which will allow guests access to all amenities, including hotel spas, gyms, bars and more. Additionally, Phase 3 will also see the reopening of attractions, excursions and tours on November 1.

Ahead of the reopening, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is working with airline partners to secure direct airlift from key markets where the curve has been flattened. Additionally, the Ministry’s communication team is prepared to commence an agile marketing campaign, complete with authentic storytelling and aggressive PR and sales strategies, leaning into current travel trends, such as the preference for vacations closer to home, as well as options that afford seclusion and outdoor pursuits.

Following the safe move into Phase 3, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation along with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies will recommend an appropriate date to enter Phase 4, which pertains to the reopening of vendors, select attractions, casinos, cruises and ferries.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The top priority of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation remains the health and safety of its citizens, residents and visitors. In an effort to curb the spread of the virus, the Ministry continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health to establish and evaluate protocols and timelines with respect to the RT-PCR testing in advance of travel.

Effective, September 1, 2020, the Bahamian government announced new entry requirements, including:

• Approved Bahamas Health Visa available at travel.gov.bs
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival
  • The only applicants who are not required to provide a COVID-19 test are:
    • Children under the age of ten (10)
    • Pilots and crew who remain overnight in The Bahamas.
• Mandatory 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP) Experience at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations (like Airbnb), as well as on a private boat.

It is recommended that all travellers interested in visiting The Bahamas review requirements applicable to each member of their party at Bahamas.com/travelupdates before booking a trip, to determine what steps need to be taken to be granted entry. More details on the Minister’s address and the Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan may also be found at Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Negative COVID-19 Test Results Required for Travel to Montserrat

Montserrat Tourism Division / Government Information Unit, Brades, Montserrat – The Government of Montserrat has expanded the pre-entry requirements for persons allowed to travel to Montserrat.
As of Sunday August 30 at 5:00am, persons traveling to Montserrat would be required to have a negative PCR COVID-19 test result, taken no earlier than seven (7) days prior to entering Montserrat. The negative PCR COVI-19 test result document must state the following:
• name, address, telephone number and email address of the laboratory which conducted the test
• the date the test was conducted
• full names, date of birth and address of the person tested for COVID-19
• the results of the PCR COVID19 test conducted in relation to that person.

The following individuals are exempted from the negative COVID-19 test requirement:
• a child aged 12 and under
• a person entering Montserrat in circumstances related to a medical evacuation
• a person who has been granted permission by the Minister to enter Montserrat for the purpose of aiding with preparations for a disaster or after a disaster

Nonetheless, these individuals may be subject to screening, temperature checks and clinical examinations on entering Montserrat.
Along with the negative COVID-19 test results, all persons must still register to travel to Montserrat prior to booking their flights to Montserrat. This registration process requires persons to complete and submit the declaration form published on the government of Montserrat website www.gov.ms/register-to-travel-to-montserrat/. The form must be completed and submitted no later than three (3) days prior to booking a ticket to enter Montserrat.
The persons allowed to enter Montserrat are as follows:
• A Montserratian
• A person who holds a permit of permanent residence
• A person who ordinarily resides on Montserrat
• A person who owns a habitable house or home in Montserrat
• The dependent (husband, wife, child or other dependent) of a person who falls under the categories listed above, once he or she resided in Montserrat for any period of time prior to March 16, 2020
• A professional person who has been engaged by the Government of Montserrat, and has been granted permission by the Minister of Health to enter Montserrat, prior to travelling to Montserrat
• A member of the crew of an aircraft or ship
• A non-resident technician, once he has been granted permission to enter Montserrat, prior to travelling to Montserrat
• A person who has been granted permission by the Minister of Health to enter Montserrat for the purpose of aiding with preparations for a disaster or after a disaster
• Any other person, as determined by the Minister of Health, for the purpose of aiding in the suppression of COVID-19

As it relates to the third point above: “A person is ‘ordinarily resident’ in Montserrat if that person has established a regular habitual mode of life in Montserrat, the continuity of which has persisted apart from temporary or occasional absences.”
Persons entering Montserrat are required to self-quarantine for 14 days commencing on their date of entry, whether or not the person has symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.