In a survey conducted by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) , 98 percent of respondents have responded favourably to a proposed vaccine mandate.

According to the JHTA, Over 98 percent of members surveyed by the organisation have responded with a resounding “yes “ to a survey of views on whether Covid-19 vaccinations should be mandated for the tourism sector.

In addition, they have said, new employees being recruited to tourism entities should be fully vaccinated.

Clifton Reader, President of the JHTA revealed that “ In the survey conducted among heads of large and small hotels this weekend, the majority of our members responded ‘ definitely’ when asked if they would support a Government mandate for their staff to be vaccinated.

A small percentage were concerned about medical exemptions but agreed that once these were sensitively handled they would be in agreement too.”

Reader said that “ it will be foolhardy to ignore the worldwide trend with the mandates being applied across our major tourism markets and requirements for full vaccination to cross several borders. Already, our travel partners and guests are enquiring about the vaccination status of properties before making their reservations. We need to plan for what is clearly inevitable.”

Reader noted also that JHTA members in association with the Ministry of  Health have been hosting a series of “ VAX Day’s” at various hotels across the country for the benefit of their workers and other allied hospitality and tourism workers.

The hotels are also hosting Sensitization and Information Sessions led by medical practitioners to educate workers about the benefits of vaccines.