The Caribbean region continued to suffer a major decline in tourist arrivals as a result of the global economic crisis. Figures from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) show a 90 per cent downturn for the region from January to July 2009 with some destinations experiencing double-digit decline over the period when compared to 2008.
Cuba and Jamaica are the only countries that have shown minimal increases of 3.1 per cent and 3.4 per cent growth. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has said that his country must maintain an approximate 70 per cent to stay afloat, requiring a growth of 10-15 per cent annually to meet current standings because of the number of rooms that the island has as a destination.
In the meantime, Bermuda is busy negotiating with International Offshore Team Association to host the 2010 world-class powerboat race. The association is also considering Brazil for a second race in 2010. The international race series is dubbed Formula One on the water. Class 1 Powerboat series features professional race teams racing state-of-the-art boats that can hit speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.
The Formula One race has taken place in Norway, Qatar, Romania, Italy, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, so why not St. Maarten 2011? The event which last three-days featuring two race days, is said to attract a television audience of 500 million and more than 100,000 spectators. As a tourist destination I do believe we are up to it. We have the annual successful Heineken Regatta which is organized in a very professional manner, so why not Formula One Powerboat Racing in 2011?
There are real prospects for travel growth in 2010. It’s being seen in different parts of the world. News coming out of ITB Asia, a tourism and travel conference that recently opened reveals that now is the time to plan for new travel industry growth.
With St. Maarten’s new branding and marketing initiatives coming in for high praise after its launch approximately two weeks ago, attention must be paid to the long-term and also having the necessary marketing/promotional funds available in 2010 and beyond to promote destination St. Maarten which is mainly based on a one-pillar economy – tourism.
In Europe, the European Travel Commission (ETC) warns that there is unlikely to be a strong rebound from this year’s low travel demand following the worst recession since the 1930s.
However, travel is not expected to fall any further in 2010, although significant downside risks remain such as an escalation in the swine flu outbreak. The ETC reports in its third quarterly report on European Tourism 2009 – Trends & Prospects, that the downturn in travel and tourism in 2009 has been especially noticeable for long-haul travel, with a move towards increased short-haul trips and leisure trips of shorter duration. This trend is expected to continue in the short-term or until economic recovery is entrenched.
International arrivals, which fell by seven per cent worldwide and by eight per cent in Europe in the first seven months of the year, are projected to stabilize over the last four months of 2009.
The ETC reports that the rate of decline in travel demand has slowed in the last two to three months, and demand for air transport and hotel accommodation appears to be returning to levels comparable with that of 12 months ago.
With prospects in Europe looking up, the 2009/2010 season for our island nation will be one where we should cautiously see an increase in visitors. The year 2010 and the season of 2010/2011 should also further see an increase in our overall tourism numbers, but we must continue to make great strides in marketing/promotion and look at new avenues that would bring business to the island such as Class 1 World Powerboat Championship racing.
Roddy Heyliger
