CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – DESPITE the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to Nevis feeling the crunch in the tourism sector, Premier Mark Brantley is looking to 2021 with a level of optimism as travel wary people are seeking to get away to a more friendly environment.
Brantley, who also hold the portfolio of Finance Minister expressed the view during his 2021 Budget Address delivered in the Nevis Island Assembly on Tuesday (Dec. 8).
Premier Brantley explained that the COVID-19 pandemic had a mental impact on the local tourism industry, upsetting projections that the island was poised to have one of the best performing year in 2020.
However, the pandemic had upset those projects and safety measures to protect against widespread outbreak.
“Months of solid bookings had to be cancelled as the pandemic spread. Stakeholder earnings and government revenues were drastically depleted due to the border lockdown from March to October 2020. Visitor demand obviously diminished as everyone took a cautious approach to travel due to all the various international requirements, restrictions and protocols that have been put in place for travel locally, regionally and internationally,” Brantley explained.
The outlook for 20201, the Premier noted, is still shrouded in uncertainty; however, he anticipates that there would be demand for vacations.
“We anticipate that there is still travel demand as COVID-19 wary visitors are seeking travel bubbles that are relatively COVID-19 free,” he added.
Against this backdrop, he reminded that the Government has begun phased reopening of franchise establishments such as the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, and that is soon expected to spill over into other properties.
The phase reopening is being done at this time due to demand and the fact that many of the smaller establishments have to meet minimum COVID-19 requirements set out by the National Task Force.
Brantley emphasised that the Government is taking a cautious approach “to avoid some of the mistakes made elsewhere, hence the phased approach”.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Tourism would continue to engage in the hospitality assured programme championed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, which is geared towards promoting organisational excellence in the industry.
The Premier congratulated the Oualie Beach Resort for recertifying under the programme.
