Inside Moon Palace Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

November 7, 2021 Marsha Mowers

We get a lot of questions about travelling these days and most of them center on two things – do we feel safe and can we still have fun on vacation with all the protocols?

Canadian Travel News was at the beautiful Moon Palace Jamaica last week, as part of The Travel Agent Next Door annual conference that is the largest of its kind.  Approximately 250 members of the industry gathered for a series of meetings and social networking to get insights into how the travel world is emerging as we near the end of the pandemic.

Here’s a look at what travelling to a sun destination was like.

Do we feel safe?

Yes. Consumers must remember that many countries, particularly in the Caribbean have had their economies devastated by the pandemic.  Travel makes up a large portion of their economy, in Jamaica tourism accounts for approximately a quarter of overall GDP.  Why does this matter? Because this means countries are eager to re-open and are focusing on keeping travellers safe.  No country wants an outbreak in any of their resorts. In Jamaica, this means in the corridor (which is the tourist area – Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios), vaccination rates are much higher than in the rest of the country.  As of today, the vaccination rate in the corridor is around 65% versus 13% in the rest of the country.  It’s sort of its own “travel bubble.”

On site, protocols are in place at Moon Palace that are the same at other hotels.  Hand sanitizing stations are at every restaurant entrance, manned by staff who ensure you use them. Masks are required indoors, taken off only to eat or drink. Room service is dropped at your door versus the attendant placing the tray inside your room (this was like our Royal Caribbean cruise in August). Housekeeping wear protective gear and has proper sanitization materials. When you first enter your room, there is a seal that it has been properly sanitized.

The only protocol that really is a bit of an inconvenience is the lack of stocked mini-bar … fridges are empty on arrival.  This is to ensure there is no cross-contamination of course, and it’s easily remedied with a quick call.

However, perhaps the most controversial protocol is the one that makes us feel the safest – vaccination requirements and testing.

While there has been some pushback from vaccine-hesitant travellers, Canada’s new requirement that all travellers on any international flight departing Canada as of November 8 must be fully vaccinated, is designed to keep us all safe. 

Combined with your visiting country’s own testing requirements, this means that everyone on the plane will be fully vaccinated and, in most cases, will have a negative test.

COVID isn’t going away anytime soon.  Travelling will always assume a bit of a risk, but it’s about managing those risks.  It’s important to remember that travel is safer than going shopping at a big box store in your hometown – you are surrounded by people who you know are vaccinated and have been tested.  We can’t say the same for your trip to the local grocery store.

Travelling is still fun

There are concerns that wearing your mask and socially distancing can put a damper on the fun and relaxation that you want on a vacation.  It doesn’t.  Outside masks are not required – so lying the by the pool or on the beach is the same as it was before the pandemic.  Lounges and tables are however regularly sanitized (vs just clearing of dishes and glasses).  Masks are worn inside in public areas and elevators, on your way back to your room or out for dinner.  But that really isn’t a big deal, it’s 5 minutes of wearing one.

We deserve it

It’s been a tough nearly two years for everyone.  We’ve talked about travel shaming before, there is no need. Travel is still responsible for less than 1% of COVID cases in Canada.  Go book your trip, follow protocols and enjoy.

And when you do, tell everyone about it.

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