Hoteliers push for easing mask mandate and other protocols

Hoteliers want a further relaxation of Barbados’ covid-19 protocols including the mask mandate and tourism players will be seeking a meeting with health officials.

This has been disclosed by Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Rudy Grant, speaking on the BHTA’s program on Voice of Barbados.

Mr. Grant noted that Barbados has had a very good winter tourist season with occupancy levels above the Caribbean average.

And, while advanced bookings for the summer have been soft so far, they expect that to pick up.

But, Mr. Grant also warns that competition for summer business is great and tourists are looking for destinations with the least amount of restrictions.

Mr. Grant also notes that many of the countries our tourists are coming from have already relaxed the protocols including removing mask mandates and visitors arriving here are accustomed to fewer restrictions.