The Caribbean welcomed a record 26.3 million tourists in 2014; 1.3 million more than in 2013 that represents a 5.3 per cent rise over the previous year. However, Caribbean island of Barbados is not happy with their results. Despite the unusual winter in the United States and Canada last year, Barbados recorded declines in arrivals. U.S. and Canadian travelers fled the cold and went to other Caribbean destinations, says Kerrie Symmonds; Barbados Labor Party Member of Parliament.
“In Barbados, in February we recorded a decline of two per cent, and in March a further decline of 5.6 per cent. And what hurt me most is that in the same February, St Vincent –– right next door –– recorded an increase of 2.4 per cent, and in March a further increase of five per cent . . . And you know St Vincent ain’t got no international airport, so people left continental United States and Canada and arrived at the international airport here at Grantley Adams and go on a LIAT flight and went along to St Vincent, and Barbados had no recorded growth” said Mr. Symmonds.
“In February and March St Lucia recoded growth of 8.2 per cent in February and 2.1 per cent in March; in St Maarten, five per cent in February, 2.5 per cent in March; Grenada 4.2 per cent in February, seven per cent in March; in Turks and Caicos, 33 per cent growth in February, 29 per cent in March,” added Mr. Symmonds
Statistics from the Caribbean Tourism Organization indicate that Barbados recorded a growth of 0.2 per cent between January and November in long stay visitors, and a decline of 2.3 per cent for cruise arrivals during the same period.
Source: Barbados Today
