Why Caribbean tourism bounced back

Caribbean tourism is back, says Jean Holder, secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Why? He cited several reasons, including the area’s record as a safe and tranquil place amidst a troubled world after 9-11. “Caribbean tourist arrivals plummeted some 15.4%, as opposed to the rest of the world which witnessed decreases of 11% percent compared to 2000,” he said of the impact of 9-11 But in 2002, “The Caribbean recovery began in earnest” after the Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel Association joined forces to launch a regional advertising campaign in the US, which represents 50% of the area’s tourism market. The result: “We ended 2003 some 7% up on our performance in 2002, surpassing for the first time arrivals to the region in 2000, an achievement which has been the goal of all tourism destinations one earth since 9-11,” said Mr Holder. Other reasons he cited for the recovery included: —-Economic factors such as the lowest US interest rates in 45 years and the Bush tax cuts. —Geographic proximity to the area’s biggest market, the US. —An abundance of air carriers that suddenly and recently became available. —The improved Canadian economy which helped lead to an increase of 20% in visitors. And finally, Mr Holder added one other factor: “Just good luck,” he said in remarks at the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin 2004. Report by David Wilkening