Last Updated on March 21, 2020, 8:08 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett of Jamaica has admitted the fact that the tourism industry in Jamaica is facing an imminent after the travel restrictions imposed on several countries which were the source markets of the industry as well as local containment and restriction protocols also have a part to play in the closure.
The Tourism Minister has said this after the large hotel chains and small hotel have announced closures and the laying off of the staff.
Decameron All-inclusive Hotels and Resorts is the latest hotel chain to announce that it will stop receiving guests.
Decameron All-inclusive Hotels and Resorts hotel chain will stop receiving guests for two months, from March 20.
However, the hotel has not expressed that it would be closing. Yet, the hotel would not be fully operational. The reason behind not being fully functional is that the hotel would not be receiving any guests.
RIU announced on Tuesday that it would be closing three of its properties, namely; RIU Montego Bay, RIU Palace and RIU Negril.
The shutting down and closure of various hotels is being done due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global outbreak of the virus has led to travel restrictions by most of the countries which have resulted in a reduction in the number of arriving tourists and also, has led to a decrease in the demand for flights.
Around 1,000 workers are expected to be affected by the closures of the properties of RIU.
Immediately after the announcement of closure was made by RIU, a temporary closure of its Montego Bay-based resort was announced by Half-Moon.
Minister Bartlett, in an interview, said that he hopes that the closure of Jamaica’s tourism industry would be short-lived. Also that there would be a quick recovery programme and normal conditions would be restored as early as possible.
He also made a point that Jamaica is not the only country to do so and that many other countries have closed down their hotel sector, expecting a temporary closure.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
