The Vice Chairman of the Antigua Hotels and Tourism Authority (AHTA) has warned that Antigua and Barbuda will continue to “suffer the consequences” of Covid-19 restrictions made abroad.
Alex Debrito’s warning comes as the country’s main industry, tourism, remains reeling from a decision by the UK to go into lockdown to reduce the spread of the deadly pandemic.
“Every single hotel saw a decrease in occupancy in 48 hours of more 25/40 per cent, there is no doubt about that, since the lockdown in England,” he added.
He said the imposition of requirements to have negative Covid-19 test results before returning to some territories is also leading to cancelations.
The tourism insider said while some guests have opted to extend their stay in Antigua and Barbuda amid the UK lockdown and new Covid-19 protocols with the offer of special rates by local properties, “there is a lot of them who left already and many more never came.”
Debrito said since March of last year, the association has been concerned about the number of properties that could survive multiple tourism seasons without adequate occupancy.
“We are facing unknown challenges from many areas,” he said. “Do you think Americans are willing to travel after what happened in the Washington the other day? Those are things that we need to understand.”
The vice-chair of the AHTA struck an optimistic note, however, adding that the country needs to prepare for the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine.
He said, however, education is needed on the measure as he acknowledged that about 60 per cent of his staff indicated that they were hesitant to take a Covid vaccine if it becomes available.
