16 February 2010

Caribbean sees calmer seas ahead

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is predicting a rebound in visitor arrivals in 2010 after strong figures for the last quarter of 2009.

A total of 22.1 million people travelled to the region in 2009, down from 22.9 million the year before.

The first quarter of 2009 saw a 6.6% visitor decline but that figure dropped to 6% in the second quarter, 2% in the third quarter and then actually saw an increase in year-over-year visitation of 1% in the fourth quarter.

The CTO is expecting tourism to grow by up to 3% this year as the global economy starts to improve. The organisation is also buoyed by the cruise sector’s positive figures. Cruise visitor arrivals increased 1.4% in 2009 after a 3% decline in 2008, thanks to strong marketing and offers from cruise operators.

CTO secretary general Hugh Riley said: "While the global economy is still in a state of flux, interest in the Caribbean remains extremely high. We, along with our destination, hotel and cruise partners have continued to promote the region and we feel that in an increasingly hectic world with all the related pressures, now, more than ever, life needs the Caribbean and we’re here to make life easier for our visitors."

By Dinah Hatch