St. Kitts and Nevis Protocols Ignite Tourism Relaunch

Like a lot of Caribbean places, dual-island nation St. Kitts and Nevis was headed toward another sturdy tourism period in 2020 right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

The location experienced achieved historic highs in air arrivals just prior to the March journey disruption, with website visitors drawn to the country’s combination of beautiful shorelines, historic points of interest, watersports and diverse hotels and resorts.

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The Caribbean country re-opened past slide following the institution of a extensive method of protocols designed to help the return of website visitors from the United States and Canada, the destination’s two major marketplaces. We spoke with Raquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, to understand the specifics driving the country’s tourism relaunch.

Racquel Brown St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authority CEO
St. Kitts is a destination for the discerning traveler who is keen to discover.” – Racquel Brown, St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authority.

TP: How did St. Kitts and Nevis strategy the re-entry of guests to the twin-island nation?

RB: “We reopened on Oct 31st with some of the most entire and comprehensive travel necessities in the Caribbean. The Federation is home to only 53,000 nationals and residents. It was for this purpose our border reopening was delayed, to ensure we would mitigate group unfold, the number of cases and deaths.”

TP: What does the entry process entail?

RB: “Under our present demands travelers have to acquire a nasopharyngeal RT-PCR test, administered by a medical qualified, 72 hours prior to departure. They need to post a adverse test result and [secure] a confirmed reserving at a ‘Travel Approved’ lodge with the finished KNA journey sort. As soon as entire and reviewed, the traveler will acquire an acceptance letter to enter the Federation which they must present when boarding their flight.”

TP: What kind of protocols are in area in the place?

RB: “Once they are on island, travelers are requested to ‘vacation in place’ at their Travel Approved lodge, in which they are free of charge to transfer about the assets, dine at restaurants, use obtainable facilities and partake in routines that the several inns are giving.

“While they are vacationing in place they are requested to undergo serial testing on day seven and working day 14, if they are staying for that duration of time. If they examination adverse on day 7, they will be ready to partake in choose excursions and excursions on the island. All vacationers are also expected to just take an exit PCR check 48 to 72 several hours before departing the Federation.”

TP: What do you consider is driving the return of visitors?

RB: “While the [protocols] may appear to be complicated, we have witnessed that pent-up desire is driving people to trip in St. Kitts, significantly individuals who are in search of an uncrowded location which abides by a full set of regulations that let us to preserve circumstance prices low offering tourists some peace of thoughts.”

TP: Is there enough airlift to the destination?

RB: “Since reopening we have resumed airlift provider on American Airways from Miami, traveling 3 moments weekly on United Airways from Newark, flying weekly on Saturdays on Seaborne from San Juan, Puerto, traveling two times weekly and on LIAT, which has daily flights to St. Kitts from the British Virgin Islands and Antigua. American Airlines is also resuming weekly flights from Charlotte starting Saturday, April 3. So, as you can see we are slowly but absolutely growing our airlift routine and reopening routes enabling more individuals to visit St. Kitts.”

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TP: What ended up the principal concerns when the state re-opened its borders?

RB: “Our primary concern was how tourists would respond to our present demands, which at that time were being rather complete in comparison to other Caribbean destinations. On the other hand, the overall health and basic safety of our citizens, inhabitants as well as guests was tantamount for us and we continued to target on endorsing the “vacation in place” practical experience.

“Though it may perhaps not allow you to wander freely about the island and interact with our heat and welcoming individuals, you nonetheless get to expertise the attractiveness of our island and delight in a getaway that leaves a single feeling restored and reenergized.”

TP: What are the protocols you determined as essential to permitting a return of website visitors?

RB: “The Ministry of Wellbeing and Covid-19 Undertaking Pressure worked diligently to review all facts offered by the Entire world Overall health Group (WHO) and reviewed the requirements set in location by other destinations that experienced reopened. We discovered what methods labored best and incorporated them into our current vacation necessities.

“Our contract tracing is very comprehensive and thorough. We advise and keep an eye on all individuals who have arrive in make contact with with the traveler. In the meantime, the vacation corridor between the airport and the accommodations will allow us to limit direct get hold of between people and locals and guard versus potential community spread. “

TP: How has the federal government get the job done with journey stakeholders to carry out the new processes?

RB: “Through our Travel Approved Training and Seal certification software, in excess of 4,900 individuals operating in the tourism market in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have been through education, paid out for and furnished by the Ministry of Tourism, St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Ministry of Wellness, to make sure we operate safely and securely.

“All hotels open to worldwide vacationers and returning nationals and people are essential to get the Travel Authorized certification which signifies that organization meet up with both the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Ministry of Well being inspections requirements.”

TP: St. Kitts and Nevis has founded separate hotels for various categories of friends. Why was this move taken, and what has been the outcome?

RB: “Currently hotels are break up into two groups: obligatory quarantine in a federal government-authorized facility for nationals and inhabitants and these open up to intercontinental vacationers for vacation-in-place [visitors]. Accommodations in both equally categories are demanded to have their staff members qualified and hotel inspected to get the Journey Authorised seal to function.

“The Journey Authorized inns for trip-in-place are geared to worldwide readers who are most very likely to be in St. Kitts for a small keep. These motels present onsite programming for a satisfying knowledge making it possible for people to safely and securely engage in a assortment of actions like non-motorized drinking water sports, physical fitness, spa and extra.”

TP: How have the new protocols impacted the St. Kitts and Nevis vacation knowledge?

RB: “Earlier this calendar year we launched our new campaign ‘Awake Your Sense of Wander’ and redefined and positioned what that means in just the current vacation requirements. This incorporates enabling your brain and spirit to wander, marveling at the loveliness of St. Kitts and allowing the serene natural beauty of the island to reinvigorate your energies.

“St. Kitts is a place for the discerning traveler who is keen to check out, to see the rainforest, the beaches, to flavor our food stuff, study about our culture and examine our markets.”