Optimistic that the sector will continue to rebound in 2022 despite having to do business during a pandemic, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) says it will focus on renewal this year.
“The year 2022 is being observed as the year of wellness in the Caribbean, with a focus on renewal. Given the Caribbean’s unique diversity, destination by destination, visitors to our shores will discover endless options to be rejuvenated in the region. Similarly, we encourage Caribbean nationals to explore and rediscover the diversity within their own destinations and those around them,” said the CTO in a press release.
“Even as we work on our short-term strategies for recovery of the sector, we urge longer term approaches to promote sectoral sustainability. Building on our 2021 World Tourism Day message, we encourage moving towards social inclusion and creating smart destinations based on smart businesses as key planks which will lead to sustainability. Our human resources, which are our key assets, are critical to the success of the sector. During 2022, the CTO hopes to build on a regional study of human resources to maintain the excellence of our hospitality,” it added.
The CTO is hoping the sector’s rebound, which began in 2021, will continue.
It quoted data that indicated there were 5.4 million tourist arrivals to the region during the third quarter of 2021. This was almost three times the arrivals for the same period in 2020, but still 23.3 per cent below 2019 levels.
“Preliminary reports suggest that this progress continued through to the end of the last quarter. Consequently, it is estimated that tourist arrivals for 2021 will exceed 2020 levels by 60 to 70 per cent,” said the regional tourism grouping, which added that it was “heartened by the recovery experiences and the lessons learnt in 2021”.
“These experiences and lessons have taught us that travel and hospitality can co-exist with the pandemic affecting both our destinations and markets. While the results to date have not indicated a return to 2019 levels, the exceptional results recorded in the summer to year-end period of 2021 show that a scaled or gradual rebound is likely and very possible by the end of 2022,” said the CTO.
“Recovery strategies, continuously being adapted to existing circumstances, based on continued partnerships and collaboration, advocating for safe and healthy visitor experiences and prioritising the health of residents, have proven to be the formula for recovery of the sector,” it added.