Violent strikes have continued this week on the French Caribbean Islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.
There have been weeks of strikes on the islands over high living costs and low wages, degenerating into violent riots. Shops and businesses have been forced to close, bring the economy to a standstill. Talks this week between the protestors and empoyers have failed to reach a resolution.
Around 10,000 tourists have cancelled their trips to the islands, according to the Paris-based National Travel Agencies Organisation.
However, chairwoman of the Martinique Tourism Authority Madeleine de Grandmaison said the island can still host visitors.
“For stayover visitors vacationing in the outlying resort areas away from the city, there has been little or no impact. Our airport, all of our hotels and many attractions have remained open during the entire strike period,” she said.
She said cruises had been most affected as the port is in Fort-de-France, where the strike is most violent. Azamara and P&O Cruises have each ameded their itineraries.