United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Caribbean tourism outperforms rest of the world
Preliminary data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) show that the region outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of 2021.
During this period, international tourist arrivals to the Caribbean reached 6.6 million, representing a 12% decline when compared to the same period last year.
By the end of May arrivals were at 5.2 million, down 30.8% for the corresponding period in 2020, considerably better than the global average of a 65.1% decline.
Of the main regions analysed, the Americas, including the Caribbean, registered a 46.9% drop, otherwise, no other region performed better than a 63% fall in arrivals.
While the tourist arrivals continued to lag pre-pandemic numbers, the first half year performance was boosted by a second quarter spurt when overnight tourist visits to the Caribbean jumped between ten and 37 times greater than those in the corresponding months in 2020.
In absolute terms, there was a steady improvement, as arrival numbers increased from one million in April to 1.2 million in May to 1.5 million in June, according to CRO data.
Among the reasons for the strong second quarter was a rise in outbound travel from the region’s primary market, the US, from which tourist visits reached 4.3 million in the first half of the year, a 21.7% increase.
Other contributing factors included the easing of some travel restrictions and an increase in airlift.
“These are encouraging signs that the hard work our member countries have put into adapting to the changing environment of the pandemic is beginning to pay dividends,” said Neil Walters, the CTO’s acting Secretary General.
“Even as we embrace a recovery mindset, we must continue to be mindful of the challenges we currently face and the potential challenges a dynamic situation like the pandemic can present. The Caribbean tourism sector is known to be one of the most resilient in the world.”
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Expedia TAAP incorporates AI for their 100,000 registered agents
Travefy CEO & Founder Talks About Their Itinerary Management For Travel Professionals
MMGY’s Jonathan Sloan: A Tale of Triumph Amidst Adversity
Unlocking Opportunities: Viator Empowers Travel Agents with Innovative Tools and Expansive Offerings
Kazakhstan Explored: A Journey into the Unknown
Behind the Scenes of Vegas Tourism: Kelly Messina’s Insider Perspective
Preserving Mexico’s Beauty: A Conversation with Doris Patiño from Xcaret
Twawick
Travefy
Cruising Through Innovation: A Dialogue with Keli Washburn from Globus
American Waterways: An Interview with Faith Alchorn-Selk from American Cruise Lines
Renovations and Clientele Diversity: A Chat with Henry Perez of Bahia Principe Hotels
Over 100 guests ill in cruise ship outbreak
BA flight attendant taken off duty after boozy altercation
Amex GBT taps Expedia for fraud prevention
Passenger attempts suicide on Bangkok-London flight
Saga could sell off cruise ships