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The paradise away from the pandemic that many are dreaming about could be about to turn into the real deal.
The Barbados government is considering giving people the chance to relocate to the tropical island’s sparkling beaches and work from there remotely for up to a year.
The “Barbados Welcome Stamp,” is the brainchild of the island’s Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who came up with the scheme after saying short-term travel and the requirements for testing have become more difficult during the pandemic, according to a report on the Barbados government information website.
The move comes as Caribbean tourism has been decimated by the pandemic. The industry accounts for 40% of Barbados’ gross domestic product with 30% of its workforce directly employed by it, according to Travel Market Report.
Credit ratings agency S&P Global Ratings expects that tourism in the Caribbean will probably decline by 60-70% from April to December, compared with last year.
“You don’t need to work in Europe, or the U.S. or Latin America if you can come here and work for a couple months at a time; go back and come back,” Mottley said in a statement.
“But in order for those things to truly resonate, what does it mean? It means that what we offer has to be world-class and what we continue to offer is world-class,” she added.
Read:What a long, strange trip summer vacation will be this year
Mottley said the government is committed to working on the promotiubeon of new concepts like the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp, being able to open its borders to persons traveling and making it as hospitable as ever for everyone, “and making it available for Barbadians from every walk of life to believe that for special occasions, or just for so, that they can come out and be a part of this wonderful exercise.”
Commercial flights are due to resume to Barbados on July 12. Air Canada AC, +2.22% will be the first international carrier with regular flights to the main airport of Grantley Adams International Airport, followed by British Airways, which is owned by IAG IAG, -0.89%. American Airlines AAL, +0.67% and JetBlue JBLU, +0.95% are expected to resume their services later in the summer.
In June, Mottley declared the island destination free of COVID-19. The island has had 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins website.
All incoming visitors to the island will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test and undergo a health assessment, which may include a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health personnel. Masks must also be worn at the airport.
Tests for COVID will be available at the airport free of charge, or for a fee of $150.00 at designated satellite hotel sites.
