Southwest Airlines is making a number of major changes to its flight operations amid the new realities of travel. 

The changes range from face covering policies to a spectrum of social-distancing policies, all of which reflect the way we will all have to travel — at least in the short term.

First, Southwest has become the most recent air carrier to announce a policy requiring masks or face coverings for travelers. (Major carriers including American Airlines and JetBlue have put in similar requirements).

The new policy will go into effect May 11, according to a statement from Southwest. 

On May 3, the airline began requiring customer-facing employees to wear face masks or coverings. 

Southwest Airlines said that customers who forgot their masks would receive one on the flight. 

It’s part of a broader new hygiene policy for the low-cost carrier, from multiple cleanings of Southwest spaces in airports to available sanitizing wipes in-flight and nightly, wide-ranging cleanings of aircraft. 

The carrier said it would also “continue” using HEPA air filters to circulate air in the cabin. 

Earlier this week, Southwest said it would be “temporarily” limiting the number of passengers seated in the cabin in order to “allow customers to spread out in comfortable distances.”

“Customers may still pick their own seat, and Southwest will not be blocking seats or directing seating,” the airline said. “In our open seating environment, families or those traveling together may sit together.”

Southwest has also suspended inflight beverage and snack service, although customers can bring their own food and drink on board. 

Earlier this week, the airline began boarding in groups of 10 people at a time. 

Starting this month, the airline is also adding plexiglass shields at ticket counters and gate podiums, along with adding floor markers for social distancing — although the company encouraged customers to download mobile boarding passes. 

While much of the Caribbean remains on lockdown, these changes will likely still be in effect when tourism eventually returns to the region. 

— CJ

The post How Southwest Airlines Is Changing Its Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Citing the pressures facing Caribbean hotels and resorts because of the coronavirus pandemic, the head of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is calling on international tour operators that have delayed paying hotels for services delivered to the operators’ clients as early as January to expedite reimbursements. 

In a letter to major trade organizations representing the bulk of tour operators that do business with the Caribbean, CEO and Director General Frank Comito asserted that 69 percent of hotels report that they have not been receiving timely reimbursements from tour operators for services provided during the first quarter of 2020.

The average amount owed to hotels by tour operators is $219,000 per hotel, “with a number of hotels reporting outstanding amounts in excess of $1 million and one hotel being out-of-pocket $15 million,” Comito said.

He noted that the global crisis is threatening the survival of many Caribbean properties, particularly the small- and mid-sized independent properties, which are a staple element of tour operators’ business.

 “We have become alarmed in recent weeks to learn of the extent to which some of your member tour operators are withholding reimbursements to hotels for services which were rendered as early as January and into February and March,” Comito said. 

Acknowledging hotels had been advised to expect reimbursement to take an average of 60 additional days, and as long as 120 days, from certain tour operators who cited staff shortages, high demand, and reduced cash flow as primary reasons for delays, Comito pointed out that “these payments were made to the tour operator by consumers, often many months in advance and were to be held in trust for payment to hotels shortly after the delivery of the services.”

Comito requested the international tour operator associations help the regional association by “reaching out to your member operators who work with the Caribbean urging them to make every effort to expedite their obligation to reimburse Caribbean hotels for services which have been rendered.”

The CHTA chief said he understood the dilemma facing all in the travel industry, but he stressed “the reimbursement of funds which were collected from the consumer far in advance and are obligated should take priority.” 

Inferring the survival of Caribbean hotels was threatened, Comito warned that the consequences of contributing to the demise of some Caribbean hotels “will also be long-term for your members and the reputation of the sector, having already impacted the ability of many Caribbean hotels to meet their own financial obligations to employees, vendors and Government for taxes owed related to past activity.”

Stressing the interdependence of Caribbean hotels and tour operators, Comito reminded the recipients of CHTA’s letter that the association had been a longstanding resource for many tour operators working to develop their Caribbean portfolio: “Through our B2B marketing efforts, advocacy work, and reach to our 33 member destinations and hundreds of properties, we’ve helped to create an environment which has supported the growth of your members’ business into the region.”

Looking to future cooperation, Comito asked the associations to rein in some tour operators which are considering “one-sided attempts to revise future contracts as they seek new rate and payment terms, already asking for deep discounts which are difficult to provide in an extremely high-cost/low-revenue operating environment.”

 — CJ

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As major hotel companies around the world adapt their properties to the new realities of travel, the Caribbean’s most famous resort brand, Sandals, is doing just that.

Sandals Resorts has announced a major new health and safety measures it says “will guarantee guests can enjoy their vacation with utmost confidence from arrival to departure.”

The program is called Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, and it will apply to both Sandals and Beaches resorts in the region.

“At Sandals Resorts, cleanliness and safety have always been priority #1. Our loyal guests and incredible team members are part of the Sandals family, and we take care of our family. Their health and safety is our focus.” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals Resorts. “We want our guests to not have to worry about a thing so they can enjoy the Luxury Included vacation they’ve trusted in time and time again. We’re doing everything we can to offer peace of mind during a time that has been difficult for the entire world, and that is why we have continued to evolve our protocols to maintain an even safer, healthier stay.”

The protocols will include “All-Encompassing Eighteen Touch Point Practice,” which will implement “advanced hygiene practices” across 18 key touch points — from the moment guests arrive at airport lounges across the entire resort experience.

That includes everything from the airport lounge, guest transfers, the rooms, food and beverage experiences, housekeeping and laundry and swimming pools, among others.

Sandals is also launching an “enhanced triple check system for cleaning and sanitation,” which will see resorts “diligently cleaned and sanitized on an going basis,” with a minimum of three inspections daily.

Inspections will include all hard surfaces — from door handles and car interiors to public restrooms, cutlery, chairs and more.

Sandals is also adding new hospital-grade disinfectants, electrical aerosol sprayers, the use of UV-LED lighting, air duct sanitization for each arrival and departure and weekly steam-cleaning and sanitization of carpeting.

Perhaps most notably, guests will be able to check in to their rooms online, beginning in June, meaning they can skip the front desk and go right to their rooms. (The company has not yet announced when it plans to reopen its properties).

When they arrive, they’ll have a welcome cocktail, a personal anti-bacterial hand towel and individual in-room hand sanitizers.

Sandals will be implementing social distancing across their properties, from setting up “safe social distance” across restaurants, bars and beaches, and restricting elevator trips to one couple per trip (or one family per trip at Beaches).

Sandals also says it is holding its suppliers, vendors and partners to the same standards — meaning restricted delivery windows and sanitized touch points.

It’s a comprehensive new plan — and one that was eagerly awaited given the company’s massive influence in the Caribbean travel industry.

Like many of Sandals innovations over the last four decades, it’s one that will likely set the standard for much of the Caribbean region.

For more, visit Sandals.

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