Jamaica Launches Traveller Protection Program

Jamaica Cares is a ground-breaking traveller protection and emergency services program set to launch next month. It provides visitors access to first-of-its kind traveller protection and emergency medical and crisis response services for events up to and including natural disasters.

The traveller protection and services program is a public-private partnership coordinated and administered by the Global Tourism Resilience Crisis Management Centre, with support from the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, Global Rescue, and leading international and national insurance companies.

For US$40, Jamaica Cares provides visitors access to compulsory traveller protection and emergency medical services, including:

• Case management, transport logistics, field rescue, evacuation and repatriation for medical emergencies, including COVID-19, and other crises up to and including natural disasters
• International health coverage up to $100,000 USD for visitors travelling to and from Jamaica
• On-island health coverage up to $50,000 USD

Jamaica Cares sets the gold standard for tourism by combining Global Rescue’s industry leading emergency services with domestic and international travel medical insurance. Visitors will have the peace of mind to travel again knowing their health, wellbeing and finances are protected.

Tourists will be provided with an information package and emergency contact details as they conclude their application for permission to travel to Jamaica.

The compulsory fee will be included as part of the country’s Travel Authorization application on www.visitjamaica.com, triggering automatic participation in the Jamaica Cares program.

Participation is mandatory for all non-Jamaican passport holders.

Traveller attitudes consistently show a powerful willingness to pay for increased safety protections during travel. An international traveller sentiment survey, conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers, revealed safety is paramount in making travel decisions for which consumers are willing to pay.

A Global Rescue survey of more than 2,200 frequent travelers found they agreed by wide margins (90+%) they would feel safer if they – and all travellers – had services and protections for medical emergencies, including COVID-19, and door-to-door travel insurance.

Dr, Taleb Rifai, co-chair, GTRCMC, said: “Travellers want to know they are better prepared in the event of a medical emergency or a natural disaster and agents and operators will see the Jamaica Cares program as the gold-standard to restore traveller confidence and rebuild bookings.”

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, co-chairman, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said that: “Jamaica Cares is a comprehensive, mandatory program that delivers traveller protection from the time they leave home until returning.”

The Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council (RC) is the leading partner in the development of this Jamaican public-private partnership, and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) will coordinate the program. Evolving beyond current safety and health protocols, the GTTRC has consulted with the most experienced companies globally to create a product of the future that is practical and affordable for all travellers

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president & CEO, said: “I would like to congratulate all those involved in the implementation of  the ‘Jamaica Care’ program, which will no doubt help to restore travel confidence and aid the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector.