NASSAU, Bahamas — A major hotelier yesterday voiced concern over the “mixed message” sent by the latest COVID-19 restrictions for November 1’s re-opening, arguing: “You can’t turn tourism on and off like a tap.”
Magnus Alnebeck, the Grand Bahama-based Pelican Bay resort’s general manager, told Tribune Business the weekend lockdown and extended curfew imposed on New Providence and Abaco by the Prime Minister were likely “to sow a little bit of doubt and confusion” in the minds of potential visitors mulling whether to travel to this nation once the 14-day quarantine is eliminated, The Tribune reported on Thursday, October 8, in an article written by Business Editor Neil Hartnell.
Arguing that the situation again highlights the need for The Bahamas to develop a clear strategy for its tourism re-opening “and stick to it”, Mr Alnebeck said the tighter restrictions unveiled by Dr Minnis were likely to cause some discomfort in the global travel marketplace.
“Turn it around. Imagine you as a Bahamian are considering going to Fort Lauderdale on November 1, and tomorrow you see Florida has a 24-hour curfew this coming weekend two weeks before you are going to go there,” the Pelican Bay chief explained. “Would you go ahead with your plans? You would say: Let’s wait and see.”
Suggesting that the measures unveiled yesterday “definitely do no good” for The Bahamas’ ambitions to fully re-open its borders to international travellers on November 1 with the elimination of the mandatory 14-day quarantine, Mr Alnebeck said the strength of any rebound will depend heavily on how the tourism market react. See complete Tribune story at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/oct/08/you-cant-turn-tourism-and-tap/
