Comment: Caribbean welcomes upturn

As holidaymakers switch from destinations considered less safe, it’s been widely reported that Spain, in particular, is enjoying a tourism boom.

Obviously mass tourism always puts strains and stresses on host destinations, but it’s disappointing to see the words ‘tourists go home’ daubed on some walls in Palma.

 

I can’t help thinking this is a problem many other destinations around the world, not lucky enough to be the beneficiaries of a thriving inbound market, would crave.

 

For many years since the 2008 downturn, the Caribbean, the subject of this week’s special themed edition of Travel Weekly, was one of those.

 

This is a region whose economy relies heavily on overseas visitors, and which has battled increasing competition from the Middle East and an unfair APD regime.

 

So it’s great to hear that the Caribbean is having its best year since the last recession and that while Jamaica and Barbados are flying high, smaller ones like Dominica are also doing well. We feature them all in detail this week.

 

And indicators suggest this will continue. A post-Brexit survey by Sandals found a 5.2% increase in the number

 

of people choosing the Caribbean for their 2016 or 2017 holiday.

 

Of course, airlift is vital and it’s the support of carriers such as BA, sponsor of this special edition, which has underpinned this success.

 

Another vital ingredient is support from the trade, so it’s great to see the Caribbean’s investment in UK agents is paying off.