Jamaica Opens for International Visitors Tomorrow: Plus Quebec, California and Cruise News

Beautiful Jamaica opens for international visitors tomorrow. I also have news on a $750 million program to help Quebec tourism, a California Highway One opening, a partial Bahamas opening, an update on when cruise ships will start running again and a look at the hotel experience of the future.

JAMAICA RE-OPENS TOMORROW

 

Jamaica has announced it will reopen its borders for international travellers tomorrow, June 15.

Officials say an extensive set of safety protocols have been announced, including health screening before entry and upon entry, which will be implemented to manage risks to workers, communities and travellers. From planning the trip to enjoying the destination, the protocols address all stages of the visitor’s journey, incorporating the lifecycle of prevention, detection and response.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our local economy, and with the help of international experts and a dedicated task force, we have developed protocols that allow us to safely reopen our borders,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “We are confident that as we restart our economy, Jamaicans will work together to ensure a safe, secure and seamless experience for our tourism workers, their families, and visitors, while preserving the authentic experiences travellers seek when they visit our shores.”

All visitors will be screened via thermal temperature checks and symptom observation. If a temperature is elevated, the visitor will be subject to additional screening, including testing, if needed. Any visitor who exhibits symptoms or is ill will be subject to quarantine. 

I’ve been to Jamaica I think four times now and have explored pretty much all areas of the coast except Kingston and the far southeast corner of the island. I quite enjoy Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, but I’m most fond of the lesser-known areas, such as the South Coast near Treasure Beach and the area between Port Antonio and Boston Bay, where you’ll find some of the islands best, and least crowded, beaches. Two faves are Boston Beach and tiny but spectacular Frenchman’s Cove Beach.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association has developed a terrific online guide that shows the opening/tourism status of all Caribbean member countries. It’s an invaluable guide to anyone who, like me, loves the Caribbean.

BAHAMAS PHASE ONE OPENING TOMORROW

The Bahamas, another great Caribbean destination, begins phase one of its opening tomorrow (June 15).

Phase One welcomes international boaters, yachters and private aviation back to Bahamian shores, across all The Islands Of The Bahamas. During Phase One, hotels will also reopen for staff to return to work and put in place all the measures required to ensure they are ready to welcome guests at the onset of Phase Two, which begins July 1 and will see the return of international visitors.

QUEBEC BOOSTS TOURISM BIZ

The Quebec government announced on Thursday it will invest $750 million into the provincial tourism industry, one of the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis.​

At a press conference on Thursday, ministers Pierre Fizgibbon (economy and innovation), Eric Girard (finance) and Caroline Proulx (tourism) announced that $446 million of the $750 million will be for the creation of PACTE, a loan program for tourism businesses.

The Quebec government  also says Quebec residents can travel through New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to take the ferry to Iles-de-la-Madeleine, a gorgeous set of islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that are Quebec territory. I was there five or six years ago and absolutely fell in love.

Europe Opens Monday (But Not for Americans or Canadians)

I hope the Italians have enjoyed having their country to themselves. Monday, June 15 marks the date for border controls to be lifted between most European countries, which is good news if you run a hotel in Rome but maybe not so great if you live in Venice and have enjoyed being able to stroll or boat around town without the touristic hordes.

The Monday opening is for what’s called Schengen member states, a group of 26 European countries that make up a wide, visa-free zone. The opening date was recommended by the European Commission and includes the UK.

But some countries are going their own way, so if you’re lucky enough to hold a European passport you should check before you make travel plans.

Greece has said visitors from around the world can visit beginning July 1, but there doesn’t appear to be a magic date yet for Canadians and Americans to visit most European countries.

Which is all the more reason to stay close to home this year and explore Canada, where we have an adult (not a perfect one but a responsible, thinking adult) as leader and where shops and restaurants take the Canadian dollar at par.

CALIFORNIA COAST RE-OPENS

I got a note on Saturday from a friend of mine who handles tourism for a magical section of the California coastline near San Luis Obispo.

The Highway 1 Discovery Route, a 100-mile stretch of Highway 1 connecting 10 seaside towns between Santa Barbara and Big Sur in San Luis Obispo County, is now open for business (preferably a road trip in a convertible).

This section of the coast features “wide-open spaces, rugged picturesque coastline, uncrowded white sand beaches, award-winning coastal wineries, Hearst Castle, variety of outdoor adventure, uninterrupted hiking and biking trails, abundance of wildlife viewing, wellness activities, and farm-fresh and ocean-fresh cuisine.

Communities include Ragged Point (gateway to Big Sur), San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos/Baywood, Avila Beach (a personal fave with a fabulous beach and a lovely golf course), Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley wine regions, Oceano, and Nipomo.

You’ll find 160 kilometers of Pacific coastline, half of which are protected. A national marine sanctuary and a national estuary. Thirteen state parks. An elephant seal rookery and Monarch butterfly preserves. A Scenic Byway designation from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Two historic lighthouses and five historic piers. The only drivable beach in California. Centuries-old forests. Hundreds of acres of coastal vineyards.  History and heritage at every turn with nine locales on the National Register. And Hearst Castle, a hilltop beauty that is a State and National Historic Landmark, and one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see.

For more information: www.Highway1DiscoveryRoute.com

Thanks to Gene Sloan at The Points Guy website for a terrific update on what’s happening in the cruise industry. Sloan might be the best-known cruise writer in the world, and has a deep understanding of how the industry works. Here’s some of his latest report:

“The bad news, for those who are itching to cruise again, is that many ships might not return to service for many months. Every major cruise line in the world suspended departures in mid-March as the coronavirus outbreak grew, and its likely many lines will remain completely shut down through the end of summer and even well into the fall.

While we may see a handful of river lines and small-ship cruise specialists resume operations in Europe and North America in the coming weeks (with trips mostly aimed at local vacationers), most major lines have canceled all sailings through early August. A few lines, such as Cunard, Holland America, Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises already have announced they won’t be resuming sailings with most ships until the fall at the earliest.”

THE HOTEL OF THE FUTURE: GREAT L.A. TIMES PIECE

Hugo Martin of the L.A. Times, one of the top travel reporters you’ll find, has a great story in the paper’s business section with a terrific headline: Bye-bye buffets, Hello plexiglass; How coronavirus is changing hotels.

Martin goes on to detail how hotel valets and buffets are no longer part of the hotel scene, at least not for now. And don’t expect to grip any sweaty exercise bike handles in the hotel gym, either.