It was encouraging to read (see related story) that employees of Bouygues Construction have been familiarised with coronavirus-related precautions by the Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services (CPS). Building activities were again allowed since May 11, but protective measures and practices must be ensured to minimise the chance of a new outbreak among workers.
Getting the contractor of both the Royal Palm and Flamingo Resorts back in operation is extremely important especially under the current dire socioeconomic circumstances. It will give this group of persons jobs and income while creating some local business and providing government with much-needed tax revenues.
Moreover, the renovation of these two large hurricane-damaged timeshare properties once completed should significantly enhance the island’s room capacity. They also represent “something new” in terms of visitor accommodations, as is the case with the fully-remodelled Secrets Resort at Anse Marcel on the French side.
With recovery of the global travel and vacation industry from this unprecedented crisis expected to be slow and demanding in terms of needing to adapt to the “new normal”, these kinds of developments can offer destinations a comparative advantage. They should also help revive the tourism economy so that the livelihood of a greater number of people in the hospitality sector may be restored.
Reports that commercial flights from the US to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) could resume by the end of June or early July have not been locally confirmed and regional traffic from surrounding islands with low COVID-19 numbers is likely to start first. However, the day will soon come when “The Friendly Island” reopens its doors to the world, and the people better be ready.
