Jamaica fears Canadian tourism fallout

Jamaica's tourism sector is now in wait and see mode after the Canadian Government on Wednesday implored its citizens not to leave the country as provinces increase vaccinations to combat the fast-spreading Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Delano Seivright, Senior Strategist in Jamaica's Tourism Ministry, has conceded that this development will have a negative impact on the industry, which annually gets "about 14-to-15 per cent of our stopover visitors, in good times" from Canada.

Canada's Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told a news conference that it's clear there is community transmission of  Omicron in the country.

With Canada being Jamaica's second largest tourism market, there is concern that there could be major repercussions for this country.

Accordingly, he said, Jamaica's tourism authorities will be anxiously waiting to see "whether Canadian citizens will heed the advice of their government."

COVID-19 cases are increasing in Canada as hospitals struggle to clear backlogs from months of  postponed procedures.

It's reported that many burnt-out staff members appear ill-equipped for another surge in infections.