Caribbean Tourism Bounces Back

• The Caribbean’s tourism renaissance is well underway, with some destinations approaching or exceeding record visitor arrival numbers.
• Tourism officials cite pent-up traveler demand, the elimination or significant reduction in travel restrictions, the return of airlifts, upgrades and attractive deals and packages being offered by hotels, as well as a variety in destination and hotel choices available as key factors for the rebound. 
• ForwardKeys, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) data partner, recently reported that the Caribbean and Latin America are leading the summer outlook in terms of the return of leisure travel, noting that five destinations – Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and The Bahamas – are among the “most resilient” based on confirmed arrivals for the summer. 
• As such, the CHTA’s President Nicola Madden-Greig noted that, on average, hotels and resorts in the Caribbean will approach close to 80% of their record pre-pandemic performance this year, with some destinations setting all-time records. Cruise ships are returning, which is especially important to attractions, transportation providers such as independent taxis, and small- and medium-sized vendors. In addition, investment in new and upgraded hotels and resorts has not slowed, with more than 30,000 rooms in development or under construction over the next five years. 
• However, there are new challenges facing the industry, as inflation is resulting in higher operating and travel costs and the uncertainty in Eastern Europe impacts travel. However, “while the cost of travel increases worldwide due to these and other factors, we will continue to focus on providing value and exceptional traveler experiences,” said the CHTA leader.

(Source: St. Thomas Source)