With a large percentage of our people out of the workforce, due to the negative effects of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, many are awaiting with bated breath the return of tourists to our shores. The prospects of this plan continue to be debated as many weigh the pros and cons of our reopening exercise.
During Phase 1 of the reopening exercise, applications for entry into Anguilla were being processed through a portal on the Anguilla Tourist Board’s website. This commenced on 21st August 2020 under the theme “Lose the Crowd, Find Yourself”.
Phase 1 provided specific requirements for potential visitors, gave priority to persons from low risk countries, implemented a “three-testing” protocol before, on and after arrival, and a stay-in-place period at approved villa accommodations. In my earlier articles on this subject, I stressed the importance of effective consultations with our industry stakeholders to ensure that the construction of this phased approach was inclusive – rather than a top-down method of decision-making which is less productive, particularly in democratic governance. The questions that we must now ask ourselves, and the powers that be are:
1. How many applications were received during Phase 1 of the reopening exercise from the portal created on the Anguilla Tourist Board’s website?
2. Of the applications received, how many of them have been processed successfully, that is, resulting in the applicant’s arrival in Anguilla and subsequent stay in place at their approved villa?
3. How many persons have applied through the online portal to live and/or work remotely in Anguilla? And of those who have specifically applied for this option, how many have been successfully processed, that is, resulting in the applicant’s arrival in Anguilla?
4. How much money has been paid to the Government of Anguilla by persons who have applied during the Phase 1 re-opening exercise based on the first schedule of fees published?
5. Of the persons who have arrived in Anguilla under the rules and regulations of the Phase 1 re-opening, what was the level of compliance with these stipulated rules and regulations? Did anyone break the stay in place or quarantine requirements?
I believe it should be a priority for us to determine the level of success of this Phase 1 reopening exercise, both from a health and safety perspective and with regard to the impact on our efforts to revive the local economy. This is a logical step that should inform future phases of reopening – and it should be done in an open and transparent manner.
Now that Phase 2 of the reopening exercise has been announced, questions still linger about phase 1, and we must be careful not to get ahead of ourselves. This requires careful assessment and collaboration with our stakeholders. I mentioned in a previous article our lack of attention to the CARICOM bubble which may have potential for our tourism if we consider creating a specific package to compete in this market. Moreover, I also mentioned that other Caribbean countries are offering “live and work remotely” arrangements with much more competitive rates. I am afraid that if we maintain a tunnel vision approach to our tourism product – catering solely to high-end clientele – we may miss the recovery train, as the industry itself sees drastic changes to former consumer stereotypes.
Phase 2 will open up accommodations to villas, hotels and resorts with greater amenities for guests under stay in place restrictions, a revised fee schedule and new training for hotel workers. It remains to be seen if this will be incentive enough to bring our regular visitors back to our shores, particularly when St. Martin/St. Maarten, and other neighbouring islands, are fighting vigorously to leverage their products and ease of access to a consumer grouping that has declined considerably. It is always important to remember that these neighbouring islands have more direct air access.
As we are well aware, the issues and challenges before us are significant. There is great worry that, with the increasing unemployment situation, crime and violence may be on the rise as well as domestic abuse. Social decline is a growing threat and our people need to be reassured that better days are coming! While we hope that tourists will return to our shores during Phase 2 through the “bubble” effect that the accommodations will be organised to provide – let us also be mindful of our individual responsibilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
I call on the Government of Anguilla to embark on a robust re-education and awareness programme on COVID-19, and to look carefully again at reintroducing health and safety protocols for social distancing and wearing of masks.
