TCI: Chamber says Gov’t never looked at the financial toll of new entry rule for Tourists

#TurksandCaicos, August 7, 2021 – A near $100 million dollar loss in tourism earnings is forecast for the Turks and Caicos Islands according to a report released on Friday by the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber believes a vaccine mandate for tourists over 16 years old, which takes effect next week Wednesday (September 1) will be dismal for the destination.

A raft of new travel entry regulations were announced, by the Government this month after tourists and imported cases of Covid-19 accounted for over 60 per cent of new infections but the Chamber believes government’s perspective is skewed.

Taking consideration for public health and not taking account for the financial fall out of the drastic decision.  Using figures from the Government, which has projected visitor arrivals will be 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and vaccination statistics from the leading source market of the United States, the Chamber says it has counted the costs and they are catastrophically negative.

The financial projection reflects the estimate from September to December and is around a third of the country’s national budget.

In making the announcement, Health Minister Jamell Robinson, did not convey what financial impact was assessed, stating the Government “is balancing lives and livelihood.”

Government comments on the Chamber of Commerce analysis came in a Wednesday press conference.