p10 CHTA jan30 28/1/09 16:57 Page 10
news conference report
ttglive.com
CHTA Caribbean Marketplace
January 18-20 ■ Rodney Bay, St Lucia
A turbulent 2008 is hitting jobs and curbing hotel
BONAIRE.
projects in the Caribbean. Philippa Jacks reports
Caribbean tourism
fears big downturn
Bonaire: cruise passengers have rocketed 300% since 2005
TOURISM bosses fear the Caribbean Tourism Association, CHTA president
economy will collapse if visitor Enrique de Marchena Kaluche said:
...But good news
numbers continue to decrease. “Each week we are hearing about
Most Caribbean countries are more of our most valuable asset, our for small island
currently 5-7% down on income, and staff, being laid off because of lack of
several islands saw no growth or a visitors to our destinations.” THE SMALL island of Bonaire in the Netherlands
decline in visitor numbers last year, Several hotel developments have Antilles has bucked the regional trend by
with those more dependent on the US De Marchena Kaluche been halted because of a lack showing growth in arrival figures last year and
market generally worst affected. of funding. Ritz-Carlton, Starwood projecting growth again this year.
Bermuda, for example, experienced a 5.2% and Marriott have all slowed, if not ceased, Arrivals were up 17% by the end of 2007 and
decrease year-on-year to November 2008. construction on certain projects. latest figures indicate 2-3% growth last year.
Forward bookings for 2009 are also a concern, De Marchena was also worried about the pro- “Our major markets will close with a growth
with some St Lucian hotels up to 40% down on posed increase in Air Passenger Duty in the UK. this year too,” said Ronella Tjin, director of
booking levels compared with this time last year. He urged a joint effort by the CTO, CHTA and tourism at Tourism Corporation Bonaire.
The Caribbean has already seen massive UK operators to “reverse this policy”. Improved airlift has been the catalyst for
job cuts, including 800 employees at Atlantis The CHTA and the Caribbean Tourism growth. New property developments include an
Paradise Island in the Bahamas in November and Organisation plan to set up a central Caribbean all-inclusive Divi resort and a Hilton hotel due for
650 Sandals employees across Jamaica, St Lucia Marketing Fund within the next few weeks. completion in 2011.
and the Bahamas announced in December. The island has also seen its cruise business
Speaking at last week’s Caribbean Market- ■ Sign TTG’s online petition to amend APD, at: rocket 300% since 2005, from 48,500 visitors to
place, organised by the Caribbean Hotel and
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/APDtax a predicted 223,000 for 2008-09.
ST LUCIA.
BAHAMAS.
Island handed $50m war chest
Campaign blitz
THE Bahamas Tourist Office hopes its biggest
THE St Lucia Tourist Board’s the addition of further ever print advertising campaign will help stem a
funding for this year has helipads. A bypass will be decline in UK visitors this year.
been doubled to $50 million. built to ease traffic around The tourist office ran a small poster campaign
A three-year “roadmap the capital Castries. on the London Underground to coincide with
for national development” was unveiled at last Royal Caribbean International has just signed WTM in November.
week’s Caribbean Marketplace. a deal to contribute half the funding for a new The posters to be launched next month feature
A new logo (pictured), combining the iconic wharf, slated for completion by 2010. the same Bahamian characters but also highlight
shape of the Pitons with the yellow and blue of A “village tourism” concept was also launched, packages from partners such as Virgin Holidays
the country’s flag, was revealed. and eight regional “brands”, such as the Tribal and British Airways.
Improvements to infrastructure will include Coast and Urban South, have been devised to The UK tourist office has a 2008-09 marketing
the upgrading of both airports on the island and differentiate key areas of St Lucia. budget of £1 million.
10 30.01.2009
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