Thought of the Day - June 23 - Global Tourism Is Still A Thing

A month ago I highlighted the growing number of locales that had become "COVID free" (https://clifffraser0.wixsite.com/covid-19/post/thought-of-the-day-may-22-covid-free). This list has added just a few more members in the last month. In many constituencies tourism represents a sizable percentage of their GDP, it is a major employer of the masses, and is the main source of foreign currency. Thus they have no choice but to encourage tourism. With this as a backdrop, the tourism industry for the rich and famous is still booming. All you need is the desire and the money.

Moreover many countries are now reopening to tourism at large. Iceland (one of the few countries that has seriously embraced testing, tracking and tracking) has been allowing tourists to visit it for a while; provided you agree to an antibody test you can also skip quarantine (the major hurdle for most tourists). Greece is also trying to copy their lead. Bermuda just announced as of July 1 they are allowing visitors provided they have had a certified test within 72 hours of departure. St Lucia requires a test within 48 hours. Cyprus is encouraging European tourists to visit saying they will even cover medical and lodging costs if a tourist becomes ill while vising. How about a vacation in Georgia? Remember none of these locations is even on the "COVID free" list, but they do boast secluded hideaways.

It is time BC (and Canada) got its act together concerning the rules here. First, it is not clear if folk already travelling across Canada, by air or car, need to isolate; from what I have read BC does not seem to require it. Hints are starting that Albertans will be "officially" allowed to visit BC when Phase 3 is introduced. Wait, does this mean BC will need to make bi-lateral arrangements with each Province? Finally, given the number of vehicles and boats bearing US registration travelling around BC you can be sure a number of Americans are already here; all they need to say at the border is that they are en-route to Alaska (and of course tour companies (for a price) can supply a destination address).

Prohibition in the US sparked many Canadian industries such as Rye distillation and made many Canadian rich. Now, rather than coming to Canada for social debauchery, folk are coming to Canada to escape the masses back home. Don't get me wrong I am not advocating a greater opening of the borders (https://clifffraser0.wixsite.com/covid-19/post/thought-of-the-day-june-4-border-restrictions). But, we can either get ahead of the curve and clearly state the rules, or leave it in the hands of the populous at large and middlemen looking for profit to dictate how, where and for how much, folk get to visit BC.

Cheers

Cliff