Noting that the country’s main source market – the United States – has been urging its citizens to travel only to COVID-19 fully vaccinated nations, tourism stakeholders say it’s critical that Jamaica “get its act together now”.

Speaking to reporters in St James, the stakeholders noted that the island’s self-styled resilient corridors have been working almost to perfection and that having employees and management fully vaccinated “would provide the perfect narrative” for Jamaica as a premiere tourist destination.

“We have to get tourism rolling again,” argued Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Clifton Reader.

“We have had an entire year of ups and downs but finally we can see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

For his part, Montego Bay businessman Jason Russell said he has impressed upon his entire staff the importance of getting the vaccine –both for their health and for the incentives that come with having a fully vaccinated workforce.

“The cruise ships have made their intentions known that whenever they start sailing again they would be going to destinations that are vaccinated,” he noted.

“My core business is both food and entertainment and we certainly want to be in full compliance with every aspect of the tourism industry.”

For chairman of the resilient corridors, businessman and attraction owner John Byles, the narrative that will propel Jamaica to “the front of the line” is a nation “that is taking the vaccination exercise very seriously”.

 “We are calling on all tourism interests along the corridors to mobilise so we can protect our business,” Byles argued.

“We need to be able to communicate that the corridors are fully vaccinated and safe.”

Byles said the news coming out of the United States and some of Jamaica’s other traveling partners have been very encouraging, noting that it is very clear that “persons have not lost their appetite for going on vacations”.

The Resilient Corridors, which encompass the majority of the island’s tourism regions, provide the opportunity for visitors to enjoy more of the country’s unique offerings, as many coronavirus (COVID-19)-compliant attractions, located along the Corridors, are authorised for visits by the health authorities.

There are three COVID-19 Resilient Corridors – the North Coast from Negril to Port Antonio; the South Coast from Milk River to Negril; and the Kingston Business District (New Kingston and its environs).

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is however ecstatic over happenings over the weekend, noting that tourism players have indeed been responding to the call.

“If you saw what happened on the South Coast today and also in St James, Montego Bay, Negril and Port Antonio… you would know that our people have been responding to the call to get themselves vaccinated,” Bartlett noted.

“It was a very good look and one that will certainly boost our drive to become a fully vaccinated nation.”

Godfrey Dyer, chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), for his part, said that the tourism ministry will continue to use every means at its disposal to continue to educate sector workers on the importance of taking the vaccine whenever the opportunity arises, adding that Jamaica is poised for a massive return to tourism prominence.