Corona scare shuttering small accommodations in eastern Jamaica

It is not news that many of Jamaica’s ­biggest hotels have significantly scaled down their operations as a result of the worldwide COVID-19 (coronavirus) scare, which slowly, but surely brought tourism in Jamaica, and the world, by extension, to a ­devastating halt.

But what about the small operators who do not have the cash flow to buffer the impact that this worldwide crisis has caused? To find answers, Hospitality Jamaica has spoken to some of them in eastern Jamaica to see what exactly they are going through and how they are buffering the impact.

The first stop was at Devon Pen, St Mary, where the rustic and idyllic Tapioca Village Retreat and Attraction is nestled. It is closed. Nothing hospitality-wise is going on there. Operations have been suspended until further notice, “as a result of the virus, and the safety implications for everyone, ­including our team members”, Errol Sinclair, one of the operators, said.

“We are deferring our current group bookings for later dates to be confirmed. We encourage everyone to heed the instructions of the health professionals.”

Likewise, at the Asafu Yard, inside the Charles Town Maroon Village in Portland, where there are regular tours, including parties from cruise ships, to get a taste of Maroon history and heritage, food and entertainment, things have changed. The wheels to that historic place have stopped spinning, but the drumming among the villagers still echoes from the hills. Corona has no control over the spirits.

Colonel Marcia Douglas said for the safety of her tour guide and entertainers, and the people in her community, all tours are suspended until such time. The loss of income for the entertainers and the crafts people is significant, but safety comes first.

“As our fore-parents have said, if you are going to put the medicine to work, and you don’t set aside time for the medicine to work, it doesn’t make sense,” Colonel Douglas said.

From Charles Town to San San, Portland the suspensions/cancellations are a reality. Timothy Blake, the general manager at Kanopi House, said all his rooms are empty as a result of cancellations. He was expecting 70 per cent occupancy up to March, and now there are cancellations up to August.

The only people on property are the security guards, he said. The property is embosomed in a lush ‘rainforest’ from which the Blue Lagoon can be glimpsed through the canopy, a nesting place for rare Jamaican birds.

Blake said for small operations such as his there is no abundance of cash reserve to cushion the negative effects, as they operate on current earnings. The situation, he said, has multiple implications, such as the loss of projected income, the loss of income for his employees, the compromising of agreements with suppliers, and the uncertainty of future bookings, among other things.

For Syble Watson, the endearing and charming woman in charge at Harmony Heights Villa, it is not about herself; but for those who depend on her for an income or assistance.

“All bookings have been cancelled. I have to cut back on the frequency of visits to protect all involved, but the worst part of it to me is the impact it has on my ­employees. When I have no income it affects them. I have a couple of seniors that I help. With no income, I have to cut back on what I used to give,” she explained.

Harmony Heights is located at Fairy Hill, from which there is one of the most mesmerising views of the Caribbean Sea in all of Jamaica. Boston Bay will pull you from the hills right into its refreshing azure waters.

Further in east Portland, there is another scenic spot, in the Ross Craig area of Long Bay. This one, located beside the sea, is aptly called Cliff Hanger Restaurant and Lounge, while its sister accommodation is called Sea Cliff Resort and Spa. And they are hanging in there, despite the “severe” impact of the corona jitters.

All international bookings have been cancelled, non­-refundable deposits have been refunded, “in light of what is happening”, some workers have been laid off, but Errol Hanna, the operator, is luring local guests at discounted rates through the agency called Gustazos. It seems to be working, as there are some new reservations, and some workers are back on the job.