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Anguilla Announces May 25th Border Reopening

The Valley, Anguilla: The Government of Anguilla announced that the island’s borders will reopen to visitors on May 25^th, 2021.  This is following a month-long closure for the effective management of a cluster of active COVID-19 cases, identified on April 22^nd.

In light of the successful containment of this recent cluster, and the progressive vaccination program on island, The Government of Anguilla has reduced the quarantine period to seven (7) days for visitors who are fully vaccinated; meaning visitors who have had their last dose of vaccine administered at least three weeks before arrival on island.

“We suffered a temporary setback when we had to close our borders on April 22^nd,” declared the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary Tourism, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie. “We acted swiftly and implemented a number of proactive measures to manage and contain this cluster of infections, along with an expanded vaccination outreach.  The result is that we are confident we can now safely reopen while protecting the health of our residents and visitors.”

The previously released measures will remain in place:

Vaccinated and Non-vaccinated Visitor(s)

• Apply for entry permission.
• Provide proof of health insurance coverage (this requirement pertains only to non-vaccinated visitors).
• Produce a negative rt-PCR test administered 3 to 5 days prior to arrival on island.
• Undergo a PCR test on arrival at port of entry.
• The quarantine period for travelers with evidence of full COVID- 19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least three weeks (21 days) before arrival date will be reduced to 7 days. (Non-vaccinated travelers’ quarantine remains as 10-14 days depending on country of origin).
• Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons will all have to quarantine for a 10-day period, utilizing only approved short stay services.
• PHE-approved COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test will be approved for use for persons requiring a test for onward travel only. These tests will not be utilized for persons entering Anguilla or to exit quarantine.
• Fees for visitors will be $300 for individual + $200 for any additional person(s) on application.
• The fees for visitors staying in private accommodation will be:
• 1) vaccinated person(s) $300 for an individual + $200 for any additional person(s).
• Persons traveling in groups (more than 10 persons) will be required to be vaccinated to enter and conduct any mass gatherings in Anguilla i.e., conferences, weddings, etc.
• Spa, Gym and Cosmetology services will be permitted to short-stay visitors if both staff and visitor(s) are fully vaccinated, i.e. three weeks have passed since the final dose of an approved vaccine.

July 1^st, 2021 | Vaccinated Visitor(s)

• All visitors to Anguilla who are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to be fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arrival.
• Travelers with evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination will not be required to quarantine on arrival if the final vaccine dose is administered at least three weeks before the date of arrival.
• Persons entering Anguilla will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test administered 3-5 days prior to arrival.
• Fully vaccinated persons will not be tested upon arrival.
• Visitors must apply for entry permission.
• No proof of health insurance is required.
• No fees for entry.
• Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of individuals who are not eligible for the vaccine (i.e. children), will not need to quarantine, but they will need a negative PCR test administered 3-5 days ahead of arrival, and may be tested on arrival and subsequently during their stay. Said tests may be subject to a fee.

“Anguilla remains a desirable and sought-after destination, which is reflected in our solid forward bookings for the Memorial Day weekend and beyond,” stated the Director of Tourism, Mrs. Stacey Liburd. “We look forward to welcoming back our many repeat guests and introducing a host of new friends to Anguilla, who will discover for themselves what makes our island a Beyond Extraordinary destination.”  

The Ministry of Health and Health Authority colleagues initiated aggressive contact tracing to identify every individual within the recent cluster.  As of May 6^th, 1,460 persons have been tested, and of those 64 positive cases were identified.  All individuals identified were placed under quarantine and monitored throughout their recovery.  The government also expanded vaccination sites island-wide in a concerted effort to achieve the stated target of 70% of Anguilla’s resident population, which will drastically reduce the possibility of viral transmission. As of May 5^th, 2021 there were 8,007 registered persons for the vaccine, of which 7,332 persons had received their 1^st dose, representing 58% of the target population number of 12,600 persons.  Thus far, 3,173 persons have received their 2^nd dose.

The Government of Anguilla continues to update both its citizenry and the tourism community on the status of the pandemic on island in regular briefings broadcast live on its Facebook page.

For travel information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com/escape; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial;  Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

Dominica Launches In Our Nature Campaign

Roseau, Dominica – (5 May, 2021) In light of increasing consumer confidence and positive  traveller intent, Dominica has launched “In Our Nature,” an initiative signaling Dominica’s readiness to welcome global travellers.

The new global campaign, “In Our Nature,” embodies the island’s rejuvenating and transformative natural experiences including geothermal rainforest spas, farm- and sea-to-table cuisine, and one-of-a-kind adventures on land and underwater. The country of Dominica, located in the Caribbean, is renowned for its natural beauty, friendly people, unique experiences and laid-back vibe.

“Through the In Our Nature campaign, we hope to increase awareness of the destination internationally, invite tourists to immerse themselves in our unique experiences, and inspire and stimulate travellers to visit Dominica,” says the Honorable Denise Charles, Dominica’s Minister for Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives.

Colin Piper, Director of Tourism, adds that the integrated marketing campaign is being carried out across multiple digital platforms and geo-targeted within source markets in North America and Europe. Visitors to the campaign website can get detailed information about the many bucket list opportunities available during their stay.

Dominica’s COVID cases have been low and well-controlled and at a minimum. Currently, 39% of the eligible population have received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The country’s successful Safe in Nature managed experience program safeguards travellers from high-risk destinations for the first 5-7 days of arrival and offers unique and certified land and water-based experiences. The Safe in Nature commitment includes certified accommodations, transport providers, attractions, spas, and restaurants. In addition, the island has been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council which reassures that the destination’s health and safety protocols meet globally accepted standards.

Dominica is also offering a unique extended stay visa Work in Nature program. Visitors who wish to stay longer than a typical vacation may be able to stay and work remotely on the island for up to 18 months.

Visit the website, Dominica: The Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret | Discover Dominica and learn more of the many things you can do In Our Nature. The journey starts here, Dominica Awaits! Check into a one-of-a-kind holiday you will cherish for a lifetime. Book your Dominica adventure with your favorite travel advisor, directly or with an OTA.

Belize Prepares for the Restart of Cruise Operations

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE, Wednesday, May 5^th, 2021:  The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) today released a new set of health and safety protocols that will guide the restart of cruise operations in Belize. The protocols outline the necessary adjustments and adaptations to be undertaken at each step of the cruise cycle – from home port, to destination and return.

These protocols are the result of many hours of hard work by the Belize Cruise Taskforce, working in collaboration with the Americas Cruise Taskforce and the Central American Cruise Subcommittee, to develop special health and safety protocols in line with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conditional sail order. These protocols also incorporate recommendations from the Healthy Sail Panel, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness and local stakeholders via consultations.

“There appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for reopening of the cruise industry. The outlook appears much more positive than it has for the past year, “stated Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations. “It is vital that we are adequately prepared for the return of our guests, and the key to our success lies in developing a strategic framework to ensure a safe and secure experience for passengers, crew and the destination.”

For four consecutive years, Belize welcomed over 1 million cruise passengers annually to its shores. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Belize received almost 1.2 million passengers with 68% of travelers arriving at Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City and 32% arriving at Harvest Caye in southern Belize.  The BTB and the Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations are committed to the full recovery of the cruise industry to Pre-COVID numbers, and to enhance the Belize tourism product to make it more competitive within the region.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will resume with the first test sail on August 4^th, 2021. This will be followed by the official first guests to call on Harvest Caye on August 9th, 2021, signaling the reopening of the cruise tourism sector in Belize. It has been over a year since the cruise industry in our region has been suspended, and thousands of Belizeans that work in this sector are now ready to welcome cruise guests to our shores once again, guided by the new health and safety protocols.

To download a copy of the protocols please click the following link: https://belizetourismboard.org/industry-sectors/cruise/

Petra Roach Appointed To Lead The Grenada Tourism Authority

The Board of Directors is pleased to confirm the appointment of Petra Roach as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA). Ms. Roach brings an incredible amount of expertise to this position, having previously served in the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) for the last 27 years. During her tenure at the BTMI, Ms. Roach held various positions, including Vice-President of Marketing and Sales for the United Kingdom, Director of Sales and Marketing for the USA, Global Head of Markets and interim CEO. She successfully elevated the Barbados brand to its current heights and has been instrumental in Barbados’ increase in airlift. Her in-depth knowledge of both marketing and the tourism industry will be a welcomed skillset to her new role at the GTA.

The Board of Directors of the GTA recognizes the importance of international marketing expertise and powerful relationships and contacts within the tourism and airline industries as a requirement for the role of CEO. In this position, Ms. Roach will lead the destination through its pandemic recovery process, placing an emphasis on innovative and competitive marketing campaigns, in what is surely to be an exciting and game-changing time for Grenada’s tourism.

“Petra is a recognized leader in the tourism sector, and we are thrilled she has agreed to take on the challenge the GTA has presented her, said GTA Chairman Barry Collymore. “This is a huge win for Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as we saw the urgent need to have someone with not only the understanding of the Caribbean marketplace, but with the skillset to help lead our unique destination through recovery and start a new chapter for our tourism product.”

“I feel honored to lead the team as GTA’s new CEO and be tasked with pushing forward GTA’s success during these challenging, but equally exciting times” said Roach. “I also look forward to working with all of the industry stakeholders, as we collectively chart a dynamic upward course for the destination.”