Are you jonesing for a Hawaii vacation? Who isn’t? But don’t hold your breath quite yet. That, as 1) another major island travel destination announced it will remain shuttered until next year, and 2) we’re starting to see more forward-thinking ideas come forward to get travel moving.
The Pacific island Bali and its neighboring islands were planning on reopening this month, concurrent with a planned controversial travel bubble for Australians. That concept is similar to what we have been hearing about here in Hawaii, as related largely to visitors from Japan.
This week, however, Bali took a major step back, saying, “The Indonesian government has not been able to open the door… until the end of 2020 because Indonesia is still in the red zone category.” Bali is now expecting to reopen to visitors sometime in 2021.
There is confusion there, similar to the confusion here, about what a future reopening plan will look like. Bali had only opened to domestic tourists earlier this month and was expecting all tourism to resume on September 11. And, while this delay still doesn’t mean that a travel bubble with Australia won’t happen, it will take much longer than had been envisioned.
Bali, like Hawaii, has an economy dependant on tourism with occupancy rates in hotels down 95% over last year. Last year Bali had about 60% as many visitors as did Hawaii.
Layered travel approach now gaining traction.
Last week, another island destination we’ve written about, Jamaica, also announced revised measures for safe tourism. Rather than adopt blanket travel bans, or rely solely on resort bubbles or other approaches that may not work, Jamaica may be onto something, even if their plan may not be perfect at the start. As a point of reference, Jamaica last year had about 40% as many visitors as did Hawaii.
Different rules for different visitor categories and destinations.
Jamaica’s new layers include a combination of pre-travel authorizations and testing, selective tests on arrival, and tourism zones (think resort bubbles). Visitors are also risk-assessed to determine how they will be handled. At this point, those staying within one of two travel bubbles will be tested on arrival and must remain within their “corridor” for 14 days, monitored via electronic surveillance. Business travelers are also tested on arrival, but may, upon obtaining a negative test result, leave their designated accommodations daily for business and for food.
All visitors must obtain pre-travel authorization, like an online visa. If you arrive from a high risk country (including the U.S.), you must also provide a negative pre-travel test result as part of the process.
Regarding Hawaii, BOH commenter Gary said something destination related, that could be a component of a layered approach. “Why not separate the ‘policy’ into a system that allows tourism on one island, but not between islands.”
Thailand’s new “Safe and Sealed” program.
Thailand’s reopening approach will begin on October 1 in the Phuket area. It is based on resort bubbles where tourists will remain for 14 days. In a different twist however, multiple resorts will be able to combine beach areas, such that visitors will have access to miles of beach that are sealed off for tourists in different resorts.
Components of a layered Hawaii travel reopening.
The concept of multiple layers to provide safer travel reopening seems applicable here in Hawaii. The idea is to at least include the following, even if it is different than what the state had thus far envisioned.
Screening and risk assessment before arrival via online pre-travel authorizations.
Pre-travel testing.
On-arrival testing as appropriate.
Travel app to monitor visitors while in quarantine.
Quarantine duration and levels based on the origination point of visitors and other risk factors.
Rules differentiated by island.
On-island health screenings, plus protocols for dealing with ill travelers.
Do you have other suggestions for how Hawaii travel can resume safely?
I own a timeshare at the Marriott Ko Olina, it is a deeded property interest, not a right to use (RTU) such as is involved in a points program. Restricting my ability to use my property by requiring me to obtain “authorization” to travel there amounts to a regulatory taking in violation of the 14th amendment’s prohibition against taking of property without just compensation. Also, the Privileges and Immunities Clause that allows for free travel among the states would likely be violated with such an approach. Honestly, it would be easier to just do the 14 day quarantine. This is ridiculous.
Mahalo Karen!
I think that people will just wait until restrictions loosen instead of going through all of these restrictions of pre testing, monitoring whereabouts and quarantining. It is not worth it. We were supposed to vacation in Hawaii in September until the quarantine was extended and still were having issues finding someplace to get a test prior to travel without symptoms and ensure we could get results back within 72 hours of travel. It was looking completely impossible. Unfortunately whether Hawaii’s economy can withstand the shutdown and lack of tourism is the million dollar question.
We own 2 timeshares in Hawaii, one on Oahu and one on Maui. I expect to be able to stay at my home resort and don’t expect to be confined to it. We won’t come otherwise. I support pre travel testing and on arrival testing. Some of the new tests provide results in less than an hour, hopefully they will be used.I appreciate your updates. Thank you.
Hi Teresa.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Hi BOH thanks for the updates I’ve enjoyed reading your articles and posting comments.
I just spoke to a friend of mine who lives on Maui the rumor mill is running hot saying the quarantine period is going to be extend until December 1st.
Have you heard about this?
Hi Richard.
No one knows. That’s the only truth. Today’s post speaks to reopening, but timing is anything but certain, at least for now.
Aloha.
Why can’t they test you after arrival and if test comes back neg shorting the quarantine time?