Caribbean intra-regional travel down by more than US$1 billion

• The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) recommends a concerted effort by Caribbean government and private sector leaders to boost intra-regional travel, while fostering greater parity, clarity and consistency for travel noting the loss of over US$1 billion in 2021 due to a stagnation in travel between the region’s destinations. 
• President Nicola Madden-Greig, asserted that while international travel to the region has rebounded to 75% of pre-pandemic levels, intra-regional business and leisure travel has dropped to around 30%, with smaller Caribbean economies and small businesses hit particularly hard. 
• In an effort to revitalize sluggish local economies the CHTA has taken several steps including; increasing services to revive regional air travel, reducing COVID-19 testing costs, cutting testing time, and shrinking long isolation periods. The Association also made recommendations for an air travel tax/fee holiday or reduction. This recommendation is similar to that which was proposed to Caribbean leaders by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, who is leading by example with fee reductions for his country. 
• Additionally, more uniform and consistent regional travel protocols would reduce traveler uncertainty, while health safety diligence and increased vaccinations were key to speeding up the return of local festivals and events, which are key elements of intra-regional travel. 
• Stimulating intra-regional travel would influence higher local spending, boost trade in local goods and services, increase government revenues and revitalize local economies. However, cost is a factor, an initiative by Caribbean leaders to lower travel fees or taxes, which amounts to almost 50% of ticket fee, would lead to greater intra-regional travel. Currently, it is more expensive to travel within the region despite the pandemic which led to a reduction in overall travel expense.

(Source: Barbados Today)