Jamaica says the Caribbean flight ban imposed by Canada will cost the island about $350 million in lost tourism revenue.
Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told Canada’s CBC News the halt on Caribbean and Mexico flights through April 2021 was a surprise and excessive measure.
"It is painful, it is difficult and it is causing us some unintended consequences, because I know that Canada has no real intention of hurting Jamaica," Bartlett said.
"What we are doing here is to hope and pray that Canada will get through this very quickly so that we can return to the normal course of our trade relations."
Bartlett said Jamaica would normally attract up to 200,000 Canadians during the peak winter season.
Jamaica’s tourism industry had already lost about $500 million due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020.
About 20% of jobs rely on a strong tourism industry and it generates a huge 34% of GDP.
The Jamaica Tourist Board is currently running an Instagram campaign called #MissingMyJamaica calling on travelers to share their memories with an opportunity to win a free stay at the Royalton Negril Resort & Spa.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
