PNP warns Jamaican government against complacency amid US travel advisory
/ Our Today
administrator
Senator Janice Allen, the People’s National Party (PNP) spokesperson on tourism, is describing as worrisome and disappointing, a travel advisory issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) categorising Jamaica as a level 4 destination.
“No matter how the Government’s consultants spin it, this is an avoidable setback to the recovery prospects for the tourism sector,” Allen said.
Commenting on the CDC’s advisory and subsequent reaction from the Government, Allen, who is a former JTB executive, said the level-4 designation would cause more than market jitters as the US has placed Jamaica in the worst category.
Unlike most of the other countries listed in level 4, Jamaica has a huge tourism product, which would be affected by this negative travel advisory.
However, Allen is cautioning the Government against complacency and listening to the noise in its own echo chamber. This designation is an indication that our largest tourism market is not satisfied with our
mitigation strategies.
“It is disconcerting that the Minister of Tourism (Edmund Bartlett) does not willingly embrace suggestions. He had plenty opportunities to have taken a more enlightened approach to head-off this negative designation.”
Janice Allen, opposition spokesperson on tourism
Allen said she was concerned that, in addition to a late start with a vaccination programme, the Government ignored several industry warnings and proposals to mitigate the spread of the pandemic, including testing of all entering the island from as far back as June 2020.
“It is disconcerting that the Minister of Tourism (Edmund Bartlett) does not willingly embrace suggestions. He had plenty opportunities to have taken a more enlightened approach to head-off this negative designation,” Allen said.
The tourism spokesperson continued: “What is needed now is an all-stakeholder discussion to devise strategies to ensure that Jamaica becomes a safe destination once again.”
She committed the Opposition’s support in all efforts to bring about a unified approach, involving all stakeholders in this vital industry.
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