Caribbean visitor arrivals behind by 1% when compared to 2019 - CHTA

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says international arrivals to the Caribbean for the first two months this year are behind by only one per cent when compared to the same period in 2019.

CHTA said in contrast, Europe is registering a 25 per cent lag, while Asia-Pacific is 54 per cent behind. Total international inbound is trailing by 31 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.

The regional hotel group is applauding Caribbean tourism stakeholders for their exceptional efforts in leading the global travel rebound this year, noting in particular the strides made by the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Curaçao.

"These are impressive results for our region," said CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, noting also the close collaboration and smart partnerships between health organizations, hospitality leaders, businesses, governments, the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), airlines, and other stakeholders for the "strong recovery".

According to ticket booking data for arrivals through the end of March, the USVI has recorded an increase of more than 22 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, leading the region.