by Linda Straker
- Tourism sector is expected to become more active from April 2021
- Commercial passenger flights from United Kingdom set to coincide with reopening of Sandals
Grenada’s tourism sector is expected to become more active from April 2021 because commercial passenger flights from the United Kingdom are set to coincide with the reopening of Sandals and other properties in the accommodation sector.
“The UK airlines have now reported that they will be resuming flights from April which coincide with the movement by some of the hotels to reopen,” Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell disclosed during a live interview on Friday.
He disclosed that Sandals, Grenada largest all-inclusive resort, which has a wide cross-section of clients in the UK, USA and Canada is also set to reopen in early April. In December 2020, the hotel announced a temporary cease of operation after the Government disclosed that a cluster of Covid-19 cases was identified among staff and guests.
“All efforts are being made to put all systems in place to protect the country as far as the virus is a concern and I must say that we are getting cooperation from the tourism sector at all levels,” Prime Minister disclosed in the interview which was broadcast live on all media outlets including social media platforms.
On Friday, the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) issued a statement that Sandals Resort Grenada has signed off to the Ministry of Health’s enhanced protocols that were designed to ensure guest, employee and community health and safety. “The protocols include increased testing of both guests and staff, added monitoring and security measures while also maintaining Sandals’ high-quality luxury brand for vacationers,” said the statement.
On 21 December 2020, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Government had taken the decision to suspend all air traffic between Grenada and the United Kingdom, effective 22:00 (AST), Sunday, 20 December 2020, until further notice. This decision was taken in line with many other countries was aimed to prevent, as best as possible, the introduction into Grenada of the new strain of the coronavirus recently discovered in parts of the United Kingdom.
Scientists, the Government said at the time had advised that this new strain of Covid-19 poses a new health risk, as it appears to spread more easily, and may be up to 70% more transmissible than the earlier strain. To date, the strain has been identified in other jurisdictions around the world including the USA.
Before Covid-19, Grenada’s tourism industry especially during the winter season which runs from late September to early April, had thousands of UK and other European visitors visiting the island.
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And the decision to bring a foreigner to head tourist office is absurd. Why is the government willing to pay a Bajan to run our tourism? Barbados don’t have work for her!? Or truth be told she got pushed out/run out of Barbados for her clandestine ways – caught up with her; & Grenada taking on Barbados waste. Disclose – disclose – no qualified person here to help boost tourism economy? Just asking.
And the decision to bring a foreigner to head tourist office is absurd. Why is the government willing to pay a Bajan to run our tourism? Barbados don’t have work for her!? Or truth be told she got pushed out/run out of Barbados for her clandestine ways – caught up with her; & Grenada taking on Barbados waste. Disclose – disclose – no qualified person her to help boost tourism economy? Just asking.
This decision is highly disrespectful of the need to continue to put the health of our country above that of the poverty-inducing tourism industry. But when COVID 19 comes back our Government will be full of excuses, new curfews, and laws that impact on residents for violation of legalized protocols and procedures. But, why should we blame them? Remember, you get the Government you (overwhelmingly) voted for. Yes?
I agree with your comment on “Poverty-inducing tourisim industry. So true, just travel to Jamaicia to see how it has damaged the island, the people and sadly so many other things.
I dont know where Mr Mitchell get this idea of flights from the UK in April, under the easing of UK lockdown rules…..International travel is not permitted until at least May the 17th and that will still be reviewed ??
Grenada should not open to Britain. Wait until their cases decrease. Learn from what has happened to Barbados and the other islands that are experiencing problems eith covid.
I doubt if any visitors will be coming for the forseeable future, given the current 14 day mandatory quarantine requirement. Sandals reopening is a real concern, are they really going to quarantine their guests for the full 14 days in their rooms, or will they get “special” treatment from the government again. There will be no Canadians until at least May 1st, likely much longer, as I doubt Air Canada will restart flights any time soon. Also, the new quarantine requirements when Canadians return, mandatory 3 day hotel stay while awaiting test results, at a cost of at least $1,000, this won’t be removed for a very long time.
Great comment
What was the point if this? No one is going to tourist travel yet.. Those variants have the UK in lockdown. USA still a pestilent mess as well. Canada not flying to Caribbean or Mexico either because of safety issues. Grenada doesn’t need those fast spreading variants on the island. You have yet to explain that the vaccines do NOT make you immune. You can still catch covid especially in the first two weeks after being vaccinated before your body builds antibodies. Plus you might not have symptoms but still spread the disease. Masks are still required.
I agree with you 100%..
Here in the UK and around the world, C19 is still a pandemic.
The devastation that could be caused by opening the borders too early would be horrendous and have a crucial impact on Grenada and it’s people
This government is too quick to allow the Brits and other people in. We all have friends and family who are very anxious to come home. However, when you talk to them they just want to keep grenadains safe..they have had 3 very hard lockdows and yet everyday thousands are still getting infected..hundreds are still dying.. Boris Johnson is still begging people to observe the rules but the prime minister of Grenada is talking about Tourism. Its like he has had his vaccine so people can come to kill poor people..he don’t care.
great comment, very true
It has been coming a year now we must wait and take care until proper vaccine eliminates this virus. To open too soon for the sake of money will put lives at risk. Just my thought…