Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Cancellations not at alarming level, say Negril hoteliers
News
By Anthony Lews Observer writer  
December 28, 2021

Cancellations not at alarming level, say Negril hoteliers

NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Hoteliers in this resort town say they have not seen bookings being cancelled at an alarming rate due to a surge in the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus across the globe.

The new variant comes at a time when the tourism industry is experiencing its best Christmas and winter season since March 2019 when Jamaica recorded its first case of COVID-19.

“[It is] not [alarming] at this point. There have been cancellations, but we really don’t know if this could snowball into more cancellations, or if people will start to see that they can still travel despite the presence of the Omicron,” stated Ann Chen, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association Negril chapter.

The managing director of the Boardwalk Village resort in Negril, Richard Wallace, said his entity has been impacted by cancellations. However, he noted that because of overbooking, he can fill his rooms.

“Yes, there are cancellations and they are last-minute cancellations, because even this morning I got some cancellations, but the bookings were good enough that we can say that we are having a good season, even though we had some cancellations,” said Wallace, who emphasised that, for him, the situation is not alarming.

Even though Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton had reported last week Wednesday that a British national who was staying at a hotel in Jamaica had tested positive for the Omicron variant on arrival back in the UK, the reasons for the cancellations are varied and have nothing to do with the possible presence of the virus in Jamaica, Chen and Wallace said.

According to Chen, people are testing positive for the virus before travelling, and others are being cautious about any form of travelling at this time.

Wallace pointed to several flight cancellations that have impacted the travel industry over the past weekend due to airline staff coming down with the virus.

In a recent report, flight tracker website FlightAware stated that more than 2,200 flights were cancelled on Monday with China and US destinations being affected the most.

Since last Friday, the commencement of the long Christmas weekend, more than 8,000 flights have been grounded.

In the US, the cancellations result from flight crews testing positive for the virus.

In the East, Hong Kong has banned airlines for two weeks following positive cases among arrivals.

Wallace, who is also president of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, said hoteliers are watching to see how forward bookings are impacted.

“I think most people who made bookings are still not ready to cancel them yet. They are still waiting to see how things turn out before they cancel,” he said, adding that there is still a demand for Jamaica as a destination.

He also said the tourism industry will be watching to see how source countries respond to the Omicron variant.

“As you know, Canada was discouraging their people from travelling. So those are the things that will affect us more than any outbreak in Jamaica because the resilient corridor is working and as hoteliers we are continuing to do what we have been doing…” argued Wallace.

Chen said hoteliers are tightening up on their protocols in the event that the Omicron variant is indeed here on the island.

“Obviously, we are still interested in protecting our staff and our guests who are in house,” she said.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Lady Songbird soaring after ‘Talkin’ Bout Love’ release, eyes Tuff Gong recording
Entertainment, Latest News
Lady Songbird soaring after ‘Talkin’ Bout Love’ release, eyes Tuff Gong recording
July 22, 2026
American reggae singer Lady Songbird is enjoying an encouraging start to her recording career as her debut single, Talkin’ Bout Love , continues to ga...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
87-octane price climbs 37% since January
Latest News, News
87-octane price climbs 37% since January
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Petrojam’s billing price for 87-octane gasoline has climbed 37 per cent since the start of the year, with motorists facing another...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
US trial of Venezuela’s Maduro set for June 2027
International News, Latest News
US trial of Venezuela’s Maduro set for June 2027
July 22, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—Venezuela's ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife will go on trial in the United States in June 2027, a court rul...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CPFSA expresses horror over brutal killing of 10-y-o girl in Trelawny
Latest News, News
CPFSA expresses horror over brutal killing of 10-y-o girl in Trelawny
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it is horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic murder of 10-year-o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant launches new partnership for children with autism
Entertainment, Latest News
Miss 30+ Jamaica Pageant launches new partnership for children with autism
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A humanitarian partnership has been formed between Miss 30+ Jamaica contestant Shanakaye Edwards and Harmony for Humanity Foundati...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Efforts to refloat sunken Guyanese vessel to begin Wednesday
Latest News, Regional
Efforts to refloat sunken Guyanese vessel to begin Wednesday
July 22, 2026
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Guyana Government says it will begin operations at midday on Wednesday to refloat the sunken MV Barima using specialise...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
LASCO Financial Services backs Greater Change Foundation with $50,000 donation
Latest News, News
LASCO Financial Services backs Greater Change Foundation with $50,000 donation
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — As communities continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Melissa, LASCO Financial Services has stepped forward with a $50,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Media leaders urge overhaul of communications training
Latest News, News
Media leaders urge overhaul of communications training
July 22, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Media practitioners and academics are calling for closer partnerships among universities, employers and Corporate Jamaica to bette...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct