In this time of extreme uncertainty people understandably want to know whether things will ever be the same. The correct answer is not exactly, but that does not mean St. Maarten/St. Martin cannot rebound from this unprecedented coronavirus crisis.
It won’t be easy, mind you, especially for an island with a one-pillar tourism economy. The pandemic and its effects on daily life serve as brutal reminder of the need to diversify, but that is not going to happen overnight either.
For now, an – at least partial – recovery of the hospitality sector must enable the people to again earn their keep once holiday travel resumes. It will most probably be considerably less than in the recent past for some time.
But although fewer in numbers, guests should soon return to what especially for many vacation-home and timeshare-weeks owners has become their “second home” for years. That sense of loyalty with repeat visits characterises the destination and has proven its strength after disasters with devastating impacts on tourism, including major hurricane-hits and the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US.
Make no mistake, the international travel industry will make a comeback and is already preparing to do so. As an example, airlines have started requiring passengers to wear facemasks, which automatically means catering during flights can no longer be what it was. There are also plans to leave every other plane seat vacant for social distancing.
One even imagines mandatory prior COVID-19 testing for all persons going on a cruise, plus the entire crew, and wearing masks everywhere but in their cabin. Smaller groups when it comes to dining, lounging at the pool, etc., possibly with more limits are other options and, of course, the eventual development of a vaccine could resolve several of these issues.
The point is that while this global crisis is like nothing experienced so far, it probably will not spell the end of the world. There is still a tomorrow, be it different from yesterday.
