Jamaica to launch compulsory travel insurance
As of November 2020, all visitors to Jamaica will be required to purchase ‘Jamaica Cares’ travel insurance, which will cover travellers’ medical expenses while on the island, including those relating to Covid-19
Emergency assistance provider Global Rescue is providing the cover via a ‘public-private partnership’, explained Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister. Local hospitals will provide treatment – and medical evacuation for those that require a higher level of care – and the Global Tourism Resilience Crisis Management Centre, which is co-chaired by Bartlett and former Secretary-General at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Dr Taleb Rifai is administering the programme.
The ‘Jamaica Cares’ travel insurance, which will be included as part of the country’s online Travel Authorization application and will cost travellers US$40, will include:
- An ‘all-hazards’ component covering field rescue, emergency transport and oversight services from personnel at Global Rescue and other partners
- International health coverage up to $100,000 for visitors travelling to and from Jamaica
- On-island health coverage up to $50,000
The ‘all-hazards’ component provides evacuation, logistics and response for travellers in need of medical support following ‘systemic’ crises, including natural disasters and terrorism, explained Dan Richards, Global Rescue CEO.
Caribbean tourism industry takes a hit from Covid
“Covid-19 has changed the world and the travel industry,” said Bartlett. “The International Monetary Fund late last week said the impact of Covid-19 on the Caribbean has been massive particularly for tourism-dependent countries.”
Bartlett added: “Assurance is becoming a critical precondition of travel today.”
Rebuilding the travel trade via traveller confidence
“Travellers want to know they are better prepared in the event of a medical emergency or a natural disaster,” said Dr Rifai. “Agents and operators will see the Jamaica Cares programme as the gold standard to restore traveller confidence and rebuild bookings.”
In late October, the Caribbean Public Health Agency launched a set of tourism and public health initiatives. It seems the Caribbean is doing all that it can to pick its tourism numbers back up.
Robyn Bainbridge
Robyn Bainbridge edits the International Hospitals & Healthcare Review and is a writer and copy-editor for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Six years a freelance writer, she enjoys injecting a fresh take on a tired topic and is a keen advocate of sustainable tourism. She also has over 15 species of plants in her living room.