As soon as Barbados announced the 14-day quarantine on all travellers from the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, the impact was immediately felt on the tourism industry in three ways, says Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds.
These included mass cancellations of both air and accommodation bookings, a dramatic decline in air load and calls from leaders of the source market nations urging their citizens not to travel at this time.
Symmonds said it was clear the commercial airlines could no longer be financially viable flying to Barbados, and as a result, many of the airlines servicing the island announced either a cessation or significant decline in trips.
The following are key points from his briefing on the impact COVID-19 was having on the tourism sector. He was joined by acting chief executive officer of Grantley Adams International Airport Inc., Terry Layne, at Ilaro Court today. Symmonds itemised the changes from each source market.
Europe – serviced by Lufthansa’s EuroWings and Condor.
Caribbean – serviced by LIAT, Air Antilles and Caribbean Airlines.
Latin America – serviced by Copa Airlines
United Kingdom – serviced by Virgin Atlantic and British Airways
United States of America – serviced by American Airlines and JetBlue
Canada – serviced by WestJet and Air Canada
Symmonds thanked the travel trade partners and the legacy carriers which have “gone above and beyond the call of duty” to ensure Barbados is not cut off from the international community because we do not have an airline of our own for trans-Atlantic travel. (SAT)
