Introducing the ‘Best Practice Protocol Report’
WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao has one of the lowest confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 amongst the other islands in the Caribbean. Aside from that, Curaçao now has only 1 active case who is currently recovering in the hospital, meaning Curaçao is almost COVID free. CHATA is proud of the way the Government of Curaçao and partners handled the situation in order to limit contamination amongst the local community.
Recently the Government has been relaxing certain regulations and as the situation develops, these regulations will continue to deescalate. It is for that reason that we must start thinking about tourism recovery. Curaçao’s tourism generated US$1.2 billion in direct and indirect economic activity. This amounts to 37% of Curaçao’s GDP of US$3.263 billion, and 25% of the employed labor force, generating 16,000 jobs out of the estimated 65,000 people employed on the island. In order for Curaçao to achieve its figures reached in 2019 by 2022, the island must start the recovery phase as soon as possible, with the right measurements in place.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Health and CHATA, the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) assembled a Phase 1 Recovery Plan: The Introduction to Tourism Recovery. This recovery plan was introduced to the public yesterday by Dr. Dino Daal from CTB during a press conference along with Minister Giselle Mc William, Miles Mercera from CHATA and Giordano Molina from Curaçao Airport Holding.
Later today, CHATA will be hosting a webinar with CHATA President & CEO, Miles Mercera, CTB CEO Paul Pennicook and Minister Giselle Mc William in English to elaborate on the recovery plan that was presented yesterday in Papiamentu.
Along with CTB’s recovery plan, CHATA’s New Normal Committee, in collaboration with GMN and MEO, created and delivered the ‘Best Practice Protocol Report’ wherein specifies the protocols and measurements that have to be taken for different areas within the Tourism Sector. The different areas refer to, for example, restaurants, accommodations, casinos, transportation, taxi’s, car rentals and basic hygiene protocol that should be customized realistically to each business offering customer service. As the situation continues to develop and the regulations continue to deescalate, CHATA will adapt the report to suit the other areas such as events and attractions more specifically. The Best Practice Protocol Report can be found on www.chata.org.
It is important to ensure the safety of Curaçao’s community during the time of this pandemic. It is for that reason that CHATA, CTB, MEO and GMN all worked together to assure that any plan which involves incoming passengers, is one that encourages safety and hygiene protocols. The intention of these protocols is for them to be implemented and performed by staff members, the visitors and the community, for everyone’s safety.
CHATA looks forward to continuing the collaboration with CTB, MEO and GMN to revive the tourism industry of Curaçao.
