Tourism affects everything from jobs to construction within this exotic chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. In the past, each nation has marketed locations, attractions and natural resources unilaterally, but contemporary economic factors are forecasting change. What impacts one nation affects all, so banding together is perhaps the most important trend of all to the future success of Caribbean tourism, said Josef Forstmayr, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association in a 2010 speech.
Increased Marine Expansion
Caribbean nations are seeing an increase in the number of tourists arriving by yacht, cruise liner and maritime vessels, according to a study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. To accommodate this future trend, expansion of ports, docking facilities, piers and anchoring stations are critical to the region’s tourism survival. In particular, deep-water channels hosting bigger-than-ever cruise ships will bring major modifications.
Marketing to Extend Visitor Stays
The Caribbean Hotel Association meets regularly to discuss the health of regional tourism. An early indication of what’s to come as the 21st century progresses is the need to address the “overnight visitors” situation, a term used to describe tourists taking shorter vacations for economic reasons. Implementing creative ways to drive extended stays is going to be an important trend in the foreseeable future, according to Property Wire, a media agency tracking tourism trends.
Transitioning From Resorts to Ownership
Caribbean islands fueled by hotel, restaurant, sporting and entertainment revenue are noticing downward trends in spending as occupant ownership grows. Tourists are finding it more efficient to buy condos, houses, fractional ownerships and timeshares, reserving personal use time and then renting units out during the remainder of the year. This growing trend requires a shift from a traditional hospitality mindset to more emphasis on real estate sales, Property Wire analysts say.
Enhanced Cooperation Between Nations
Organizations like the Caribbean Tourism Organization keep tabs on emerging trends, thus membership in such a group is critical for island nations so everyone is up-to-date on ascendant social trends, Daniel Levine, executive director of the Avant-Guide Institute, said when addressing CTO’s Caribbean Marketing Conference in 2010. Adopting tools used by social scientists for centuries, Caribbean tourism experts will increasingly be required to use social behavior to increase tourist traffic. Cuba's recent preparation for re-establishing a tourism industry hasn't been lost on other island nations. Cuba's entry into the mix is seen as both a benefit and a threat in the foreseeable future.
Innovation Wins Out
When Jamaican tourism bottomed out as a result of economic declines in 2008, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett turned innovator. Examining travel trends, he noticed a dramatic drop in flights out of the US to Jamaica, while Canadians were flocking there. Removing government sanctions on Jamaica’s domestic airline lowered ticket prices between Canada and Jamaica. More routes were added. As a result, Canadian visitor numbers continue to outdistance that of other nations, proving, once again, that innovation is a critical component for future success.
When Novia McDonald Whyte staged a Taste of Caribbean food competition under the auspices of the Observer's Food Awards, her goal was to establish a link between Caribbean agriculture and world-class cuisine. Linkage between indigenous Caribbean dishes and agriculture is being promoted aggressively given the world’s fascination with culinary exploration. Food-driven tours and trips have proven successful internationally, thus an increase in visitors seeking culinary adventures is likely.
- Travel Agent Central: Caribbean Tourism Remains Unscathed by Hurricane Earl
- Property Wire: Tourism Trends in Caribbean on Shaky Ground
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean: Caribbean Trends 1985-2002
- Caribbean Daily News.com: Expert Bringing Future Trends to the Caribbean
- Jamaica Observer: Vision for Caribbean Tourism
- caribbean island image by Elke Dennis from Fotolia.com