Tourism authorities studying ways to ‘co-exist with COVID-19’

…as aviation, health sectors join collaborative efforts
…tax incentives, solo experiences among suggestions discussed

By Rupa Seenaraine

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has taken its toll on economies across the globe, devastating industries and creating a domino effect on supplementary sectors.

In Guyana, Tourism authorities have begun assessing the losses and negative figures for the year; and, as such, are seeking means to ‘co-exist’ with the coronavirus until a vaccination is created.
At present, researchers have posited that this vaccine is far from reach.

Like the tourism industry, the aviation sector has been dealt a serious blow, as airports remain closed in many territories. As such, local entities such as the Business Ministry, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) were joined by officials from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, and other counterparts globally on Thursday to assert their input in reviving the industry through modified income streams.

Director-General of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, indicated that any premature opening of the ports and travel could pose serious risks on countries, and as such, adaptation is key to remaining relevant until normalcy prevails.
While it is said that recovery before 2021 is highly unlikely, the domestic market will rebound first. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Carla James, has said her office is working with a phased guideline to incorporate tourism in a way that does not interfere with the COVID-19 regulations, and is also building a resiliency and recovery strategy. In foresight, they are preparing for safe travel when borders reopen.
“As part of that acceptance of (the) new norm, we need to focus on the solutions and take action now, talking about a phased approach in reopening destinations and making communities and tours safe for our visitors. That recovery timeline looks like identifying priorities, redefining our action plans to prepare for when borders open,” James highlighted.
Hygiene and sanitation are said to be a major introduction to safe travel. They have also selected models whereby new technologies can conduct raid checks at airports. James, however, pointed out that some of Guyana’s considered weaknesses in the past might prove to be advantageous in the way tourists select their vacation destination.
“I think some of the key takeaways from this preparation is that some of the weaknesses that Guyana is known to have are now our strengths, and perception of destination safety will drive decision- making going forward,” she posited.
Worldwide, consumers are faced with financial constraints, global uncertainty on safety, booking conditions, and the availability of flights, as they seek to travel presently. Locally, the sector is met with its own challenges, which affect reopening, but authorities are considering freezing prices for the rest of the year, among other alternatives, to encourage people to travel.
“The challenges that are facing Guyana to reopen right now are: a lot of supplies are closed; there is great uncertainty. I think we have been advocating to freeze our prices for at least the remainder of 2020, and maybe all the way through [the first quarter] of 2021…The private sector is now looking into that mode, where they’re looking to address these challenges to cater for when the market opens up,” the GTA Director said.
It is expected that many persons, if they choose to travel, would find destinations that are closer to home. Also, many may eliminate countries that have alarming cases of the deadly virus.

Waiving taxes
Meanwhile, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, has recognised that Guyanese pay hefty airport taxes when travelling. Incentives on regional travel, he noted, can keep tourism alive until the pandemic is brought to an end.
Ramkumar went on to break down the amount of money persons dispense in taxes, which add to a significant sum for families and large groups of persons travelling. Passenger and travel fees are added at every destination at which a person stops. As such, he said, the region should formulate a workable alternative to address these issues.
“Regional tourism needs to be incentivized,” he declared. “Governments and airports need to reduce the travel tax and passenger fees…We have a Travel Voucher Tax of 15 per cent of the base fare, that is for all travel originating out of Georgetown. In addition to that, there is a travel tax of $3,500; the airport security fee for all departing passenger is US$20 at the Cheddi Jagan International [Airport]; and there is a passenger fee on arrival for all arriving passengers,” he highlighted.
He claimed that when the ports and borders are reopened, the tourism sector can have a proper rebound by implementing such measures.
The THAG President added, “I believe this is something that really needs to be looked at as a region and as a collective. This is not an attack on anyone, but I think if we come together, we can have solutions that can encourage our people to travel.”

Domestic partnerships
With international aircraft grounded, and some limited to only cargo or humanitarian flights, Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Field, suggested that travel entities should focus on forging partnerships to facilitate more domestic travel.
This can significantly assist the sector, until there is some sense of normalcy, he said.
“Start that discussion with our local operators on what routes they might be able to run for you independent of doing charters or regular runs,” he urged tourism bodies.
According to him, the aviation industry is in a serious position, with activities dwindling to just 9.7 per cent. There has been a significant reduction in the revenue base, as fees for using Guyana’s airspace and money generated from other activities drop.

Safe travel
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud cautioned that the new avenues to garner income from the sector should be safe, with mechanisms in place to protect travellers. He said the Public Health Ministry would also have to make facilities available should any traveller come across as a suspected case, which all come at a cost.
“There are new methodologies, and even new equipment, that are required at all ports. There is some sanitising equipment now that are being piloted…Home isolation is something we’d have to work on, and to find facilities generally… case finding and early detection; contact-tracing and follow-up; and the containment measures, which include the border controls, our airlines, vessels, and even vehicular traffic that operates,” Dr Persaud asserted.
Acting Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Neil Walters, has recognised that this type of collaboration is necessary for countries to recover, since many of them would not be able to do so alone. Nevertheless, suggestions were made for solo experiences and more virtual reality undertakings by these entities, as the virus progresses.