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

The post CHTA Urging Tour Operators to Pay Caribbean Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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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.

The post How Sandals Is Adapting Its Caribbean Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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For many, the charms of the island of St Croix are still some of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean.

And that includes the wonderful historic town of Christiansted, a vibrant, charming, eminently walkable downtown.

It’s a city that continues to change, from a buzzing culinary scene to a growing cocktail culture (and even the island’s first tiki bar).

The latest Caribbean Moment takes you on a virtual vacation to Christiansted, to the sights and sounds of this centuries-old city, to Protestant Cay, to the colorful archways of the city center, to the boardwalk.

It’s a walk around town — and the perfect way to start your week.

See more in the newest CJ Video.

— CJ

The post Caribbean Moment: The Joys of Christiansted, St Croix appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The post Demand for Caribbean Private Island Real Estate Is Surging appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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