The announcement by Royal Dutch Airline KLM that passengers from the Caribbean part of the kingdom no longer require a negative COVID-test result (see related story) is in principle good news for the islands. They are one of the few places abroad persons in the Netherlands can still go, although there is currently a general compelling-reason-only travel advisory.
But coronavirus-related measures are gradually being eased by the Dutch government and as the vaccination campaign ramps up, more persons will again want to go on holiday in paradise, especially during the summer school break. With what was left of the traditional high winter season almost over it is important to look ahead at how best to restore the tourism economy in the coming months when cruise calls hopefully also resume.
Curaçao, which has the Netherlands as its biggest visitor source market, as well as – to a lesser extent – Aruba and Bonaire stand to gain most from the removal of at least one obstacle for returning Dutch guests, who still need a negative test to come to the islands. However, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba could potentially benefit too.
Efforts should be made to actively promote such a development and perhaps even get package tour specialist TUI to resume flights to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) from Schiphol – in addition to KLM – whenever possible.
The Windward Islands’ main market North America may produce some more “unseasonal” business than usual of its own, with people tired of being cooped up and perhaps longing for that vacation they could not take due to the pandemic.
As severe and protracted this unprecedented crisis is proving to be, people need to stay focussed on light at the end of the tunnel.
