An interesting move from a resort in the Bahamas is leaving people wondering whether or not catching COVID-19 could actually come with benefits. The awful disease has destroyed so much already, so this may very well be the one and only perk of catching it.
Now that we appear to be in the tail end of the pandemic, with trustworthy vaccinations becoming more widely available, travel is starting to open back up. The Baha Mar resort is hoping to bring Americans over with the promise that they can stay for free if they come down with COVID-19. And if staying is not possible? Then a private jet will fly them home.
The campaign is called "Travel With Confidence." It's a way to ensure that those who might find out they're positive have a plan afterward. But based on the package offered, it almost seems like winning a prize.
What makes it even better is that if COVID-positive guests choose to stay, they'll also be gifted a daily dining credit of $150. "It is our hope that through this program, our guests will feel confident when booking a stay with us, as well as valued and supported by the Baha Mar family should any issues arise during their trip," the resort said, per NBC News.
The three hotels that are offering the program are the Hyatt Baha Mar, SLS Baha Mar, and the Rosewood Baha Mar. The point is to eliminate the fear that many travelers may have of "what if?" And since so many people have been aching to take a vacation, it might actually be the one thing that makes them feel confident in booking tickets — the thought that no matter what, they'll be taken care of.
According to Scary Mommy, the hotels aren't seeing this as a "perks" system. Instead, they're trying to stay afloat during a time when the coronavirus has more or less tanked the industry. While some people did choose to go on vacation, things were especially slow for the travel business during seasons that are usually booming.
The resort is not trying to encourage those with COVID-19 to travel. But it's more of a "don't worry about catching it while you're already here" maneuver. It's meant to take all worries off the traveler while the hotels themselves are still getting the reservations they need to stay in business.
While it might end up costing the hotels a lot of money, they likely assume that with the vaccine being dispersed, not too many people will need to take them up on this offer. "Peace of mind is an important part of any great travel experience and to that end Baha Mar and The Bahamas have enacted some of the world’s most robust COVID-19 testing protocols in order to keep guests safe and worry free," the resort said in its statement.
The program also separates the resort from the competition. As noted, it's the "first and only resort" to offer this type of protection for its guests. In a way, this is a big move. If you wanted to go to the Bahamas, it would be hard not to stay in a hotel offering extra benefits if a bad situation arises.
Of course, there are some rules set to make sure that nobody tries to take advantage of the program. And since the program has gone viral, it will definitely need a bit of protection. "In order to qualify for the Travel with Confidence Program, Baha Mar must be the FIRST destination visited upon entering the Commonwealth of The Bahamas," the rules state.
The resort is not encouraging the spread whatsoever: "The Travel with Confidence Program is an addition to Baha Mar's continuing Commitment to Your Wellbeing initiative, which provides guests with the latest in COVID-19 safety measures, including complimentary, on-site COVID-19 Rapid Antigen testing upon arrival and prior to departure in order to help our guests comply with international travel requirements. Our Commitment to Your Wellbeing also includes mandatory mask wearing in public areas, social distancing, and stringent cleanliness regimes that go above and beyond Baha Mar's already rigorous cleaning standards."
"Guests that have been residing on island prior to their visit to Baha Mar will not be eligible to free quarantine accommodations, dining credit, or private air travel to return to the U.S.," the rules continue. "Guests will be required to provide Baha Mar with a copy of their flight itinerary (the document issued by the airline or travel agency) upon arrival at the resort to verify qualification for the Travel with Confidence program." So, with those rules in place, it does seem as if this program would be hard to abuse.
Baha Mar thought so much about this program that it has set very specific rules, proving it's not just a gimmick. For example, what would happen if you were traveling with a family and only one of you got sick? "Baha Mar's team will attempt to assist any immediate family member with travel arrangements to facilitate a seamless return to their intended destination, at the expense of the immediate family member," the resort wrote. So — while you can stay, the resort is on task to try to secure travel for the member who needs to go back to the United States.
Still, there are a lot of nonbelievers out there who feel as if they may be welcoming plenty of spring breakers who happen to realize they have COVID-19 while there. Last year, spring breakers were being scrutinized for continuing their travels in the midst of the pandemic. With this option, those who might not be able to afford staying for long may decide that this is their best bet for 2021.
That said, even being in the Bahamas with COVID-19 means that you still have COVID-19. The long-term effects of the disease are still unknown. Even though some people only have mild symptoms, it's unclear as to whether or not someone may suffer from lasting respiratory effects that will make the years ahead more difficult. It's unlikely that anyone who follows through with this program will be surfing and drinking margaritas and feel that same level of comfort and relaxation.
News came out that Baha Mar hotels had to let go of a lot of employees — which is likely similar to many other hotels worldwide. When people aren't traveling, there's not as much need for as many hands on deck. If this program takes off, it's possible that those employees would be able to come back to work. So that's another positive. Not only does Baha Mar get the opportunity to showcase the amount of coronavirus safety measures it's been taking, but this initiative shows the resort is serious about it.
Even for those who are already vaccinated, it's good to know that Baha Mar has plans and strategies in place. And it's proving that by showing that it has a lot to lose if it does things wrong. In a way, the resort is showcasing that it believes in the hard work it's done to reopen and stay open.
