Caribbean islands report big drops in tourism

I believe this indicative of everywhere not just the Caribbean!

It's so odd this tourism business. As most you know, I manage term crewed charter yachts. While I may still have to get a part time job this summer to make it through this has been one of the best week for bookings we have had in three months. It may be a flash in the pan.

The difference I am seeing this year is people are booking for vacations closer to the inception date. In other words, this time last year I would be booking for December - January of the next year. This year I am booking for July and August. And discounting more than I would like naturally.

Pamela

dntw8tup i got a copy of that from someone today. i like to be aware, so i did read it. i try my best to not look "down" too much because i like to keep my mood steady in the meantime. information is always good to have.

pamela, i am seeing that trend as well... and of course, things are slow besides.

stats can tell us where we have been but not where we actually are. in fact, more stats will be going to determine where we were in the next few months.

the paradigm has shifted, and all we can really do is hook in, hold on, and pay attention. the wind is coming from different directions and the sea is just not acting the way it used to. we've never seen anything like this here...

best to all as we continue to hunker down. and queenofderock is right too... it's happening all over.

The good news is that by the time of the next high season, late this calendar year, the global economy will likely show signs of recovery.

My current research - forecasting tourism - indicates that tourism is positively correlated with income and expectations about income in the near future.

As the economic signs improve, and as the weather grows cold in the north, the tourists will return to the Caribbean.

Anyway, that's my forecast. I'd be interested in other views and - especially - sources of detailed data over the past 10-20 years.

Edward

One thing I've noticed is that unlike 25 years ago, we've consistently gotten the less wealthy tourists in the main for the last 10 years or so. Cruises certainly bear that out, especially since Carnival bought most of the lines. There isn't any cachet to cruising unless you're on Sea Dream or that type & the less wealthy people may be slower to return because they will naturally have to be more careful w/their money. We are no longer the equivalent of St. Bart's. I'd be willing to bet that St. Bart's & Anquilla, etc. will make a quicker comeback than we will. The numbers of cruise ships are at all time lows this summer & from what I hear, they're spending less & less so maybe it's a good thing there are fewer of them. I wonder how many of the guests in the hotels are there on points like Marriott rewards? That doesn't always translate to their spending more because they're not paying for their hotel, either. In fact, it can mean the exact opposite.

I heard that one of the prizes on Jeopardy this week was a trip to St. Croix.