Hotels, resorts in Caribbean to achieve 80% of pre-pandemic performance: CHTA

When the pandemic hit the world, economies in the Caribbean were among the worst impacted due to their dependency on the tourism sector. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says the region's tourism renaissance is well underway, with certain resorts approaching or surpassing record tourist arrival numbers. Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the CHTA, predicted that, on average, Caribbean hotels and resorts will achieve near to 80% of their pre-pandemic performance this year, with certain places reaching new highs. Pent-up traveller demand, the elimination or considerable reduction of travel restrictions, the return of airlifts, appealing hotel bargains and packages, and a variety of destination and hotel choices and renovations that are now in place are all cited by tourism officials as crucial factors in the resurgence. Greig praised the region's tourism, health, and government leaders for their efforts over the previous two years to position tourism, the region's major industry, to rebound from the pandemic. She cited the World Travel and Tourism Council's revelation at its global summit in Manila last month that the Caribbean and Latin America were driving the global tourism revival. "Thanks to the efforts of many, today's traveller has numerous options when organising a Caribbean vacation. We've seen an explosion of new and upgraded hotels, as well as infrastructure improvements, during the last decade. "Many hotels and attractions took advantage of the pandemic to strengthen their product and service offerings, as well as recognise the changing expectations of the discriminating tourist. We will continue to provide lodging experiences that appeal to a wide range of traveller interests," Greig added. "Travelers can enjoy our rich cultural, culinary, and historical treasures in addition to our world-famous beaches and waterways.We've also worked hard to put in place health safety standards that are both effective and non-intrusive," she added. Cruise ships are making a comeback, which is good news for attractions, transportation providers like independent taxis, and small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, new and improved hotels and resorts are still being built. "These are all excellent markers of traveller confidence and interest in the Caribbean. We're witnessing the results of years of hard effort by the tourist industry and governments across the region to invest in our product and people, and to widen our appeal as we find new ways to give a diverse and interesting experience for our visitors," Madden-Greig said. "Visitors visiting the Caribbean can explore our numerous offers on land or sea, on a cruise holiday, or during a sought, lengthier in-destination stay for a more immersive experience. It's never been easier to experience the Caribbean "your way," with alternatives to suit every interest and budget. She went on to say, "From high-end luxury accommodations on land or sea to small cottages and apartments." Vanessa Ledesma, Director General of the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Association, reiterated these sentiments recently at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit, citing data from ForwardKeys to underscore the region's strong demand for summer and fall travel. "This reflects the travellers' thinking, with the region's accessibility, brand identity, and pandemic management being significant components driving demand," she explained. The Caribbean and Latin America are leading the summer outlook in terms of the return of leisure travel, according to ForwardKeys, CHTA's data partner. Five destinations — Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and The Bahamas — are among the "most resilient" based on confirmed arrivals for the summer. STR's most recent pipeline analysis shows developer confidence, with nearly 30,000 rooms in development or under construction over the next five years. However, Madden-Greig noted that the industry is experiencing additional issues, such as rising operating and travel costs due to inflation and the uncertainty in Eastern Europe affecting travel. "As the cost of travel rises around the world as a result of these and other factors, we will continue to focus on providing value and outstanding travel experiences for our customers.".

Hotels, resorts in Caribbean to achieve 80% of pre-pandemic performance: CHTA

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