Record year for Caribbean tourism as hurricane damage recedes | News

Sparked by robust restoration in the destinations that were afflicted by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Caribbean tourism rebounded soundly to post report stayover and cruise arrivals in 2019.

Stayover arrivals grew by 4.4 for every cent to arrive at 31.five million, outpacing the international price of growth of 3.eight for every cent claimed by the Earth Tourism Organisation.

At the same time, cruise visits greater by 3.4 for every cent to 30.2 million, representing the seventh consecutive 12 months of growth. 

In presenting the Caribbean Tourism Efficiency Report for 2019 in an on line presentation this morning, Neil Walters, the acting secretary standard of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation explained this report effectiveness was activated by steep rises – as higher as eighty for every cent in the case of St. Maarten – in the hurricane afflicted countries.

“Overall, the destinations most impacted by the hurricanes in 2017 observed some of the maximum rates of growth,” Walters explained.

In addition to St. Maarten, all the worst-afflicted destinations claimed double-digit growth.

Anguilla was up by 74.9 for every cent, the British Virgin Islands greater by fifty seven.3 for every cent, Dominica rose by fifty one.7 for every cent, the US Virgin Islands observed a 38.1 for every cent advancement and Puerto Rico greater by 31.2 for every cent.

After two years of decrease, the US was the ideal undertaking market in 2019, registering an improve of 10 for every cent to arrive at a report fifteen.five million readers.

Nevertheless, Canada, from which there was sustained growth in just about every of the very last a few years, was sluggish in 2019 at .4 for every cent, equivalent to 3.4 million tourist visits, Walters disclosed, who included that while arrivals from Europe were down, the intra-regional market was on the up.

“The European market dipped by 1.4 for every cent from five.9 million in 2018 to five.eight million.

“The British isles was down by five.six for every cent to about 1.3 million readers.

“On the other hand, intra-Caribbean vacation greater by 7.4 for every cent to arrive at two million, while the South American market declined by 10.4 for every cent to 1.five million,” the acting secretary standard explained.

Nevertheless, Walters warned that while 2019 was a great 12 months in general for Caribbean tourism, there are a couple of potential hurdles on the horizon – these kinds of as environmental, political and social uncertainty and the influence of local climate improve – that could influence its effectiveness this 12 months.

These issues notwithstanding, the CTO predicts growth of one particular to two for every cent this 12 months.