The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamian tourism industry will enjoy “a dramatic improvement” in its group business once US federal health authorities upgrade this nation’s COVID ranking.

Fred Lounsberry, the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board’s (NPIPB) chairman, told Tribune Business that coming off the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) ‘Level 4’ “avoid travel” warning was the industry’s most immediate target as it seeks to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re getting closer and closer to getting off of the CDC ‘Level 4’,” he added. “That is the next big goal to get reduced to three or better, and that’s going to be important for groups. That is really an important thing, because groups are kind of standing by and will continue to move their dates back. So that’s kind of the big missing piece right now.

“We are at ‘Level 4’ now, and I think obviously we want to go from three to two to one. You take it a step at a time, but I think the numbers I’ve seen are very positive. I know there are certain criteria that needs to be met, but I hope we’re good.

“My sense is what I’ve heard is that we’re getting very close to be able to do that. So, I think once that happens will you will see a dramatic improvement in the group business.”

Speaking to the Government’s plan to remove the five-day, in-destination COVID test for visitors, Mr Lounsberry added: “Certainly, the five-day reduction is terrific, and I think we’re all hoping that very soon the US return test going back to the US, the 24-hour test, that will end sooner than later.

“I know there’s a lot of very strong lobbying by the airlines to eliminate it as well as the US Travel Association. It’s impacting foreign travel to the US. So, certainly, once that has sunset, I would hope that The Bahamas would look hard at that kind of thing for the country as well. I think the world is slowly moving back to normal, and everything I’ve heard is we’re going to have a terrific Spring Break. March is going to be terrific.”

Hotels are reporting strong bookings for the entire Spring Break season, a further sign that pent-up travel demand is being unleashed as persons feel more and more comfortable with travelling as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease in developed countries.

Mr Lounsberry said hotels are currently at “better than 70 percent” occupancy. “Dates that I am looking at for some people are sold out. I’m talking a number of hotels. So I think it’s very positive. It’s great news,” he added.

“I think March, April and, hopefully, let’s just cross our fingers that some of the other restrictions in the US, such as testing, that something happens with that and we could be strong right on through the summer and into the fall.”