Jamaica has reported more than 211,000 tourism arrivals since reopening its tourism sector in June, the country’s tourism officials said this week. 

That amounted to tourism earnings of $231.9 million, according to Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. 

Hotel occupancy rates continue to inch up, Bartlett said, leading to cautious optimism for the island’s tourism recovery. 

“I have received reports that some of our hotel properties have reported that they are reaching up to 60% occupancy through a combination of international and local guests, with numbers reaching nearly 90 percent around holiday weekends,” he said.

Continuing that growth is essential, he said during the first-ever virtual staging of the island’s Jamaica Product Exchange conference. 

“Tourism must get back on track. Pre-pandemic, there were 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals; travel and tourism accounted for 10.3% of global GDP, and it employed 1 in 10 persons around the world,” he said. “At home, as we welcomed 4.3 million visitors, the sector earned US$3.7 billion, contributed 9.5 percent to the nation’s GDP and generated some 170,000 direct jobs.”

— CJ

The post Jamaica Tops 200,000 Arrivals Since Reopening appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Aruba has become the first Caribbean destination to partner with JetBlue on a pre-testing program.

Aruba will begin accepting a PCR test facilitated by a company called Vault.

Aruba has required a PCR test for all visitors since reopening for tourism over the summer.

The virtually-supervised at-home test facilitated by Vault’s platform is the first and only saliva-based test accepted for entry of JetBlue customers into Aruba.

“Reliable, accurate, and convenient testing is a vital key to safely resuming leisure travel and invigorating the economy,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer, JetBlue. “With a long history of promoting seamless travel, we are grateful to the Aruban Tourism Authority and the Aruban government for recognizing our partner, Vault, as an easy way for JetBlue customers to meet Aruba’s testing requirements.”

So how does it work?

Thes test is administered via an online video connection facilitated by Vault, with a test supervisor who ensures the customer is providing their sample properly.

The sample is then shipped overnight to a laboratory for processing within 72 hours.

“Aruba is honored to partner with JetBlue to be the first Caribbean country to offer this innovative seamless entry testing to streamline the travel process, and make our ‘one happy island’ even more accessible,” said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority. “We continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our visitors and locals through advanced safety protocols. This partnership provides our visitors with an added level of convenience and ensures that once travelers arrive on our sunny shores, they can immediately enjoy their trip.”

The move models similar programs first pioneered by American Airlines, which has been increasingly its pre-testing program for the Caribbean of late.

For more, visit Vault.

— CJ

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Petit St Vincent, the celebrated private-island resort in the heart of the Grenadines, has officially reopened, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The resort, which is set on 115 acres, has a total of 22 accommodations across the island.

It’s one of the country’s approved “Bubble” resorts.

“We’re officially open and can’t wait to give you the warmest of welcomes,” the property said in a statement to guests. “It’s finally time to spend your days soaking up the Caribbean sun at PSV with nothing on the agenda but relaxing on sunbeams and listening to the waves.”

St Vincent and the Grenadines reopened for tourism in July.

For more, visit Petit St Vincent.

— CJ

The post Petit St Vincent Is Open Again appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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