{"id":4420,"date":"2020-05-14T09:05:48","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T13:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbados.org\/blog\/?p=4420"},"modified":"2024-02-20T14:35:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T18:35:22","slug":"preparing-for-tourism-new-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbados.org\/blog\/preparing-for-tourism-new-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing For Tourism New Normal Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Latest Updates <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August 24Th – List of Barbados Hotels Which Are Open<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/barbados.org\/blpg\/hotelsopen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article also examines the global state of travel. It looks at the risk and precautions taken to control in-flight virus spread and on arrival monitoring and tracking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 12 – Barbados Opens Air Travel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/barbados.org\/blog\/covidtravelsimplified\/<\/a><\/a><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 12 Barbados Welcomed its first Aircanada flight. Since then several flights have arrived including a British Airways arrival- The initial set of air travel protocols <\/a>were quickly revised based on feedback and monitoring- For our updated and simplified list of things to do and what travellers need to know check here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest stats for travelers testing positive can be found at https:\/\/barbados.org\/blog\/tourismrevival<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tourism revival features latest news on testing, tracking, quarantine and isolation of travellers, answering questions like “What happens if a traveler test positive”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Phocuswire >>><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The PhocusWire chart shows the current thinking and timeline in preparing for Tourism New Normal Travel Experience. The forecast for some form of air travel is optimistic for June\u2013September 2020. This is the date we are expected to have safe flight regulations enforced. Flights may be back in September but travellers will not necessary want to travel as before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consumers Weary of Air Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The current mood is to stay at home and travel by car. Even if the current pandemic appears to be under control, there is always the possibility that it will rebound or come back as a new variation. Traffic stays low as we all wait to see what happens next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Longwoods International study confirms that 82% of travellers<\/a> have changed their travel plans for the next six months with many planning local trips to domestic destinations and places accessible by car. Private rental properties and villas may well be preferred over hotels and resorts which will have many more guests and social interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep tuned for our upcoming article<\/strong> on “How safe is travel now and in the future<\/em>.” We will look at plans to open, sanitary and health protocols of destinations that are opening and covid free certification. The article will evaluate which sectors may be the most safe. We will examine what is being done to safeguard guest and staff in All-include hotels, regular hotel resorts, vacation rentals , Airbnb and Airline protocols. ….Coming soon: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Barbados Prepares for New Travel Normal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Barbados is not sitting idle. The government and private sector are using the downturn to upgrade facilities and re-think the travel experience. Travellers today and in the foreseeable future are going to be looking for a new style of hand-holding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons can be learned from successful local Airbnb management teams that are finding guests appreciate having a local company they can trust to make sure the property is COVID safe and hand hold them through the selection, booking, moving in and the rest of the travel process. Hotel and tourism suppliers are also happy to have this help to accommodate guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luxury Villas Rise to the Occasion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Barbados has a very high return visitor ratio. It is one of the highest in the world and it applies to every sector, from hotels to villas. Many long-stay and repeat travellers stay in luxury villas and private homes that they are familiar with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mindful Holidays are the new Norm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They fly into the island on private jets and some have continued to escape to Barbados, even at the height of the pandemic. This sector is expected to rebound quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task Force Plans For Tourism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Barbados task force is in place and already establishing plans for now and for the future. Government funds have been allocated to the healthcare sector to ensure that essential medical supplies are available for guests and locals. A new 200-bed hospital is in the works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funds have been made available for training and upgrading hospitality workers’ skills during the down period. Smaller hotels can access funds to refurbish at this time and get ready to rebound with upgraded facilities and standards when travel resumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government is also fast tracking new developments and encouraging investment in the sector. It has a generous Debt Relief Programme for businesses and households to defer payments due and loans for three to six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cruise Ships Praise for Barbados<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Barbados was the home port for as many as 16 ships from several cruise lines during the guarantee period. The government made it a priority to treat the cruise sector as its partner. It offered ships a safe harbour at a time when other ports denied entry and assisted in repatriating passengers and crews. See more here >>> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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