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25 finalists to vie for Tourism Service Excellence Awards

Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced.

25 finalists to vie for Tourism Service Excellence Awards

WANDA VÁZQUEZ GARCED, governor of Puerto Rico, signed into effect Executive Order 2020- 023, which seeks to contain and manage the impact of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico.

What follows is a guide on the applicability of the Executive Order on specific tourism operations.

Airports: Remain open for inbound and outbound travel. Adjustments in travel itineraries are at the discretion of each airline, in accordance with travel restrictions, as determined by the government of the United States. Usual opera­tions at the airport are not affected by the curfew. Passengers arriving or departing from the airports after curfew will be able to transit to and from their respective destinations. Retail operations inside the airport will be subject to the same regu­lations as those in the rest of the island, allowing for only essential businesses to remain open.

NO HOSTING GUESTS

Restaurants and food-service establishments will remain open, but limited to those that can offer their services by way of carry-out or delivery. Said restaurants will be able to offer their services only in the above-described manner, and will not host guests in their facilities.

Industry workforce: The Executive Order provides for employees that must transit from their places of residence to their place of employment, after curfew, to be able to do so.

We strongly recommend employers provide a certification to staff whose shifts extend past curfew which may be presented to law-enforcement personnel, should need be. These employees will abide by the dispositions of Section 3 of the Executive Order.

Cruise operations: The San Juan Bay is currently closed for cruise ship vessels.

Hotels: Remain open. Public areas and amenities in hotels, such as spas, pools, and recreational areas must remain closed. Room service can and should remain available for guests. Back-office support to maintain essential hotel operations running are permissible. All hotels must take extraordinary measures and precautions to safeguard the health and safety of all guests, ensuring that adequate prevention and containment protocols are in place. Hotel management shall inform their employees that particular emphasis should be given to the dispositions of Section 3 of the Executive Order.

Casinos: Will remain closed from 6 p.m. today until March 31, 2020.

Restaurants: Will remain open but, limited to those that can offer their services by way of drive-thru, carry-out, or delivery. Said restaurants will be able to offer their services only in the above-described manner, and will not host guests in their facilities. Bars inside restaurants will be closed.

Restaurants inside hotels: Will remain open, but limited to those that can offer their services by way of carry-out or delivery. Said restaurants will be able to offer their services only in the above-described manner, and will not host guests in their facilities. Bars inside restaurants will be closed.

Attractions: All businesses should close, with the exception of pharmacies, supermarkets, banks, or those related to the food or pharmaceutical industries. This applies to shopping malls, movie theatres, concert halls, casinos, bars, liquor stores, or any other place that facilitates citizens gatherings. Considering the aforementioned criteria, attractions must remain closed.

Tours: Considering the afore­mentioned criteria, tours must not operate.

Transportation providers: Transportation is an essential service. Uber and taxi drivers will be allowed to operate, subject to the limitations in Section 3 of the Executive Order.

Travel agencies: Storefrontoperations of travel agencies must remain closed. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company authorises travel agents to be able to work remotely until further notice.

St Lucia’s tourism sector takes proactive approach amid covid-19 concerns

THE MINISTRY of Tourism and the St Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), recognising the challenging environment of the travel and tourism industry, convened with the board of directors of the St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) on Friday March 13, to discuss the global impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.

Led by Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee, the meeting focused on gaining first-hand information on the overall status of the industry over the next 90 days.

“This is part of our national strategy to make informed decisions to ensure the ultimate rebounding of the tourism industry. Considerations are already being undertaken for the recovery phase, as we must ensure that St Lucia is positioned to regain its market share when the travel landscape changes,” said Minister Fedee.

Approximately 50 per cent of the accommodation sector and ancillary services were represented at Friday’s meeting.

President of the Saint Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association (SLHTA), Karolin Troubetzkoy speaking on Friday’s meeting, said; “The SLHTA is committed to collaborating closely with the SLTA and the Ministry of Tourism to safeguard the tourism industry and our economy, but most importantly, safeguard the country and do what is best for our citizens and visitors alike in these difficult times.”

Similar dialogue has taken place with travel trade partners, airlines and the media.