The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A top tourism official yesterday said crisis management will be a permanent part of the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy moving forward due to the fall-out from COVID-19.

Joy Jibrilu, the Ministry's director general, told the Bahamas Business Outlook conference: “The Ministry of Tourism has a standing crisis communications plan and hurricane kit, and this has been disseminated to all our industry actors so that our actions can be co-ordinated in the event of an emergency.

"The plan addresses actions and responses that may be taken not only during storms, but also in the event of a number of potential scenarios, including other natural and environmental disasters, accidents, incidents of crime, civil unrest, terrorism and, as we've seen most recently, public health issues.

"Since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic we've revised and even re-circulated crises plans specific to addressing COVID-19 and other public health issues following the onset of COVID, and with the need to adapt to a new normal of heightened health and safety precautions and social distancing.”

Mrs Jibrilu said the Ministry of Tourism has now implemented a “business continuity plan” to cope with a national shutdown such as The Bahamas experienced as a result of COVID-19 so that it can continue to perform its work effectively.

She added that the ministry is also revising The Bahamas' tourism product offerings, and changing to adapt to new consumer demands and travel priorities. This includes the development of protocols for the maintenance of health and safety in operating the full range of tourism-related businesses and facilities.

Mrs Jibrilu said that despite the roll-out of the ministry's tourism readiness and recovery plan, the overall revision of the country’s product offering was “set back” by the unforeseen second wave of the COVID-19 in July, forcing further revisions to entry requirements.

She added that this heightened the need for “clear communication and collaborative efforts”, which many stakeholders in the tourism industry and wider economy have argued was lacking in the approach to COVID-19 from the Government.

"Further, the routine periodic adjustment of our tourism strategy based on the evidence will always be necessary to maintain relevance and competitiveness in the face of shifting real world context and national priorities," Mrs Jibrilu said.