What is the Future of Caribbean Tourism?

Last month was big on the Caribbean tourism beat. I attended two major travel conferences within weeks of one another. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) both hosted September conferences that marked the first large post-pandemic gathering for each organization.

There were plenty of good vibes springing from the delight of once again interacting with friends, colleagues and sources in person. But beyond the personal warm feelings was a clearly positive outlook for Caribbean tourism’s future.

Top officials from destinations at each show reported strong land-based visitor arrivals and rebounding cruise traffic this summer, as the Caribbean continues a stout comeback from pandemic-driven travel shutdowns and restrictions.

In addition to the surging arrivals, attendees at the two shows highlighted the Caribbean’s continuing travel infrastructure improvements and enhancements, and the ever-growing slate of new hotels and resorts scheduled to open across the region in the coming years.

Still, roadblocks remain to further Caribbean tourism growth, perhaps the most significant being airlift. One airline association official asserts high government taxation drives airfares to Caribbean destinations higher than fares to other regions.

Speaking at CTO’s conference, Peter Cerda, regional vice president for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said government taxes and fees represent 30 percent of…