As the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) marks World Tourism Day on Tuesday, September 27, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is reflecting on the significant contribution tourism has made to the socioeconomic development of the Caribbean while focusing on the challenges and opportunities the industry presents for the future. “Tourism has been the main driver in propelling Caribbean economies, creating new entrepreneurial opportunities; building upward mobility; broadening the skills and ingenuity of our peoples; celebrating and showcasing Caribbean culture, cuisine, nature and entertainment; and improving our capacity to rebound from crises and challenging situations,” stated CHTA President Read more
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Airlines, cruise companies and other tourism-related groups are welcoming the announcement that Canada will end all travel restrictions and end the Canadian mask mandate for planes and trains on Saturday, October 1. The Trudeau government today announced that mandatory vaccination rules will end on that date, as will random border testing of travellers. Ottawa also is making the controversial ArriveCAN app optional, and ending the requirement for masks on airplanes and trains. “Air Canada welcomes the removal of these restrictions, acknowledging that air travel is safe and that the measures were not justified by science,” We believe it will greatly Read more
A day many Canadians thought might never arrive is coming next week. The Government of Canada today announced the removal of all COVID-19 entry restrictions, as well as testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada, effective October 1, 2022. Masks also will no longer be required on trains and planes in Canada. The removal of border measures has been facilitated by a number of factors, including modelling that indicates that Canada has largely passed the peak of the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 fuelled wave, Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, as well as the availability Read more
After more than two and-a-half years of strict COVID-19 controls, the government of Hong Kong says it’s putting an end to mandatory quarantine rules for international travellers. CNN reports that under rules that come into play on Monday, September 26, incoming travellers will be required to undergo three days of self-monitoring on arrival. Travellers will not be allowed to visit certain places during that period, including restaurants and bars. They’ll also have to take PCR tests on days, two, four and six after arriving, followed by another rapid antigen test. It’s still a fair bit of control, but it’s a Read more
One of the top destinations in the Caribbean is now free of travel restrictions, and one of the world’s top countries for tourism will open in less than three weeks. Effective midnight, Thursday September 22, 2022, Barbados discontinued ALL COVID-19 related travel protocols. Therefore, there will be no testing requirements for entering Barbados whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens homes; persons travelling on public transportation; and for persons who are Read more
