TCI Blogger & CPA critiques Chamber report on ‘Vaxxed’ Rule impact

#TurksandCaicos, August 27, 2021 – The Chamber of Commerce analysis on the impact of a new vaccine mandate for tourists over the age of 16 to Turks and Caicos drew response from Drexwell Seymour, Certified Public Accountant, talk show host and TCI Blogger who believes the report paints an inaccurate picture.

“I think it is great that the chamber has done an analysis but I believe it is misleading and has not captured a true picture of our industry. Of course with government policies and the increase in the spread of the Delta Variant in many places, it is a challenge to predict the impact that COVID 19 will have on the economy.

For example, when the country opened for business, there were many who thought there would be less tourism arrivals but we have seen significant increase in the arrivals of tourists and for some resorts, the occupancy levels were higher than what they were prior to the emergence of COVID 19.”

Seymour, HLB Turks and Caicos in his article entitled:  Some issues with the Chamber of Commerce Report, which was posted Monday August 21 at his website offered scrutiny on the linchpins of the analysis, saying the blanket focus on US vaccination rates was wrong, it should have been targeted at Turks and Caicos source markets excluding travellers in the over 65 year demographic because of their age is presumptive and that the report does not factor in the possibility of positives of the new policy, which takes effect on September 1.

“The report has used 55% vaccination rate for individuals between18 to 64 and has excluded individuals over 65. I have a problem with this as the Chamber is using the average rate for the US.  Average means some people are below and some people are above. Furthermore, the majority of our tourists are coming from the East Coast and therefore the vaccination rate used should have been based the vaccination rate from the East Coast rather than using the average for all of the United States.

In the CDC report it has stated that “several states in the South and West, for example have vaccinated a smaller share of their population with a first or single dose than in other regions.” States such as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are above the US average ranging from 66% to 68% fully vaccinated.”

The Turks and Caicos Chamber of Commerce, in the report released on Friday, estimated losses could hit $96 million.  But Seymour is convinced his cited generalisations, unconsidered factors, outdated data and imbalance in the report come together for, what he called a “misleading” analysis.

“The report has not considered any positive impact of the Government policies. The thing is people that are unvaccinated really don’t want to travel as much as people who are vaccinated. Therefore, it is possible that the country may attract more guests to the islands from vaccinated people even though vaccinated people are not exempted from getting COVID 19 or the Delta variant. However, people that are vaccinated feel more safe travelling and especially to a destination that only takes vaccinated people,” said Mr. Seymour in explaining what could be positive spin-offs from the policy.

Drexwell Seymour said he believes there will be cancellations, but he is doubtful it will be to the tune of nearly $100 million.