Restaurateur cautious amid Omicron threat

Some of this country’s restaurants are expecting increased business over the Christmas holidays, at the end of another challenging year for tourism.

But they’re also bracing for cancellations from COVID-19 outbreaks fuelled by the Omicron variant that is casting doubt on planned celebrations for New Year’s Eve.

Peter Best, the owner of the Time Out Hotel in St Lawrence Gap, revealed that the Amigos Restaurant which is on the property was 70 per cent booked for Christmas lunch, with walk-ins from tourists also expected.

The luncheon, which is advertised from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., includes DJ entertainment and later a live performance.

Best said despite a myriad of pandemic-related challenges, the outlook was still better than last year.

“I think about 50 per cent of our reservations are from hotel guests in the area, and then when we put it out on Instagram we had a good response from the locals also, not inclusive of the ones who would walk in,” Best told Barbados TODAY.

Christmas festivities have also been planned at the Radisson Aquatica, the Sea Fans Restaurant at Infinity on the Beach, and a few other well-known spots.

Many have also posted elaborate and, in some cases, very expensive experiences for Old Year’s Night.

The Hilton Barbados Resort will host a $395 ‘dinner affair’, entitled Under the Stars, featuring a range of locally renowned entertainers. Cosmo Club Barbados is hosting an event entitled Mardi Gold, featuring a three-course dinner with complimentary glasses of champagne.

On the West Coast, Nishi Restaurant, and the Mews Barbados were among those who have advertised dinner and entertainment events as well.

However, a year after lockdowns due to a massive outbreak of COVID-19 cancelled Old Year’s Night celebrations, some in the industry are taking a more cautious approach.

“We are playing it by ear due to the new strain of COVID that is spreading in Europe, and we are expecting some cancellations and I don’t know how the Prime Minister will respond to what is happening,” said Best.

“But, from my perspective, looking at what is happening on the international stage, it looks like it is causing some panic,” the businessman added.

Best noted that while public health officials were, on one hand, allowing gatherings and larger social events, they were continuing to ask citizens to exercise extreme caution.

As a result, he is backing away from having crowds and is opting not to host his annual Boxing Day party. He added that even New Year’s Eve celebrations have been placed on hold.

“We have to use our own initiative, that’s all I can say. I haven’t started seeing cancellations coming through as yet for the hotel, but what I am saying is that it’s only in the last two or three days that this [variant] is excelling. Seventy-three per cent of all COVID cases, in some places, are from this strain,” he noted.

“So that will raise some eyebrows in the next couple of days if it continues in the way that it is going. So you have to be mindful of these things, especially if you are in this business.

“I can’t sit back and wait for the people in authority to make decisions. You have to study this thing through and know that something will have to happen, and it seems we are going to get some cancellations because it is not only me that is thinking this way. A lot of people are thinking this way,” Best added. kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb