Brain Top Off!

In the Caribbean, seven of the world’s most tourism dependent nations can be found, according to the World Tourism Organisation. It is tremendous news then that the number of tourists taking holidays under the Caribbean Tropical Sky is increasing every year, and set to increase for some time. But troubles may be ahead, and there are questions about the quality of spending to be asked too.

One of the most pressing issues in the Caribbean right now, especially for holidays to Barbados (and other nations who depend on former colonial ties for a higher degree of British tourists) are the Air Passenger Duty rules passed down by the UK Government. Dependent on a March budget, there could be a turn-round in 2011, but though the Caribbean nations are lobbying the UK government, they’re having trouble believing that there will be a positive result. Significant falls in tourists originating from the UK have been witnessed, unsurprisingly considering that the duty now costs them about £150 extra on a Caribbean flight. Domestically, the UK is among the shakest source market to rely on, as evidenced by GDP announcements and compounded by the VAT rise.

Whilst a worry to the Caribbean economy, it’s also merely a sign of the times: new markets are emerging (including China) that will probably be more lucrative for the foreseeable future. 23 million people visited the Caribbean in 2010, five percent up from the 22.1 million witnessed in 2009. It’s not just annual tourism either: Weddings Abroad are becoming ever increasingly popular, with the Caribbean as a natural destination. However, the end takings aren’t necessarily improving with the numbers. Josef Forstmayr, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association president, claims that ‘visitors and not spending as much’. The truth is that people are setting out on their holidays but making the compromises in how they spend whilst out there, spending less in bars and clubs and with activities. People go to the Caribbean to enjoy a grand asset that is also free for the taking: the climate. Hopefully economic conditions will improve and restrictions will be lifted, or else, the locals will have to work out a way to monetise the tropical weather.

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