Devastating Hurricanes Cost Caribbean Tourism $741M, 800000 Visitors
Caribbean Tourism Suffers
The WTTC found the hurricane impact was “significant” and that even islands not in the path of the storms “also suffered.”
Overall, “the recovery to previous levels could take up to four years,” the report said, costing a total of $3 billion in future revenue.
The WTTC suggests that to aid recovery, governments “increase access to capital” for small businesses, ease work permit rules for “specialized services,” increase duty-free exemptions on some goods, and improve the “ease and experience” for travelers as they arrive and depart their destination, among other recommendations.
–TIPS: When to Consider Buying Travel Insurance
–SAVE: How to Save Money on Car Rentals
–-SUPPORT: Help Support Our Journalism Original Content
Caribbean Tourism Recovery Recommendations
In addition, the report suggested giving trip insurance to visitors “when conditions in the host destination are unstable, which will encourage visitors to continue to visit.”
Adopting a more targeted marking strategy, investing in tourism training, and “improving connectivity between islands,” also are predicted to speed the Caribbean tourism recovery.
Ominously, the report warned of future challenges that may negatively impact Caribbean tourism.
“Natural disasters such as this will continue to hit the Caribbean and elsewhere, perhaps on an increasingly frequent basis because of climate change.”
-–SIGN UP: For more news, get The Voyage Report newsletter for FREE
–RELATED: U.S. Spring Break Air Travel Breaks Record
Leave a Reply