Jamaica’s tourism industry is rebounding despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, but the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) says this is no time for complacency and has urged its members and Jamaica in general, to remain vigilant.

Speaking at the organisation’s annual general meeting last Tuesday (November 23) , where he was unanimously re-elected president for a second term, Clifton Reader said: “We’re living with COVID-19, and seeing its minimised effects. But we must still be cognizant it is still there. We’re not at the stage where we can put aside the protocols and the things we are doing well!”

Reader said that, “at this point we’re projecting 65 per cent average occupancy for Winter 2021, which puts us right back where we were in 2019 – the best winter season in recent times”.

POSITIVE SIGNS

He told the AGM that, at a recent visit by travel agents and tour operators, the hotels received an excellent rating for maintenance of product standards and health and safety protocols which will translate to increased bookings for the destination.  

These “positive signs”, he predicted, “will benefit our allied industries too, including farmers and other suppliers”.

While noting the projections for a rebound of the tourism sector, Reader called on the Government for “assistance developing the skills sets required”.

Said Reader: “Several hotels run in-house training programmes for their staff, but we need a national programme which offers a pipeline to trained professionals whenever we need them.”

In this regard, he said that “the JHTA will be meeting with various stakeholders to define the best programme relevant to the times”.

He added: “We will also be seeking Government support to provide more scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism and our JHTA members will be partnering with universities to help develop workers for the industry and to give back to the community.”

Encouraging the hotels to provide more internships for students, Reader said: “We all need to share the knowledge and experience that we have developed over time. Let’s match theory with practical to craft the best possible team members.”

Pointing to the low COVID-19 positivity rate in the industry – 0.37 of one per cent – Reader said that “every single hotel manager should be commended for their stewardship during the pandemic”.

He said testing at the island’s two international airports was indicating very low rates of infection and vaccination rates within the tourism sector have been increasing.

“Members of the JHTA have been working with the Private Sector Vaccination Initiative (PSVI) to bring vaccines to our employees, hosting Vax Days that have been well attended.

By utilising the PSVI we have also reduced the pressure on the Ministry of Health and Wellness staff who have been busy islandwide.

“We continue to support the ministry individually and through our COVID-19 Ambassadors Programme, by enduring strict observance of the health and wellness protocols, hosting of information sessions and the donation of personal protective equipment (PPE),” he reminded the AGM.