Page 22 - IAADFS Summit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

Cruise homeports for the cruise lines. Cruise that growth will be uneven among the
With the lifting of travel restrictions, visits to other regions were either four or destinations, with additional countries and
the total number of cruise visitors in the five times more than in 2021. However, territories exceeding their 2019 levels.
region reached 19.2 million in 2022 - five while the Eastern and Western Caribbean The CTO expects overall arrivals to
times more than those in 2021. However, recovered 55.0% of their 2019 figures, the the region will increase by between 10.0%
this only represents 63.3% of the record Southern Caribbean recovered to 51.3%. and 15.0% compared to 2022, representing
number of cruise visits (30.4 million) set between 31.2 and 32.6 million tourists,
in 2019. 2023 Outlook which would surpass pre-pandemic
The Northern Caribbean emerged The outlook for travel to the arrivals.
as the most visited region in 2022, with Caribbean is promising despite global The cruise industry also anticipates
an estimated 6.5 million cruise visits (six pressures. more recovery and expansion, with
times more than in 2021) and 91.9% of the Caribbean destinations can expect this between 32.0 million and 33.0 million
pre-pandemic arrivals. These destinations recovery to continue into 2023, albeit at a cruise visits, a 5.0% to 10.0% increase over
benefited from their proximity to the main slower rate, Walters explained, predicting the pre-covid baseline figure.

Cayman Islands tourism exceeds target for 2022 *The CTO report the countries and
destinations in the conventional
geographical region as well as Belize,
The Cayman Islands welcomed the Cayman Islands recorded 57% of Guyana, Suriname and the Mexican
1,027,668 visitors in 2022, divided between 2019’s visitation numbers. At the end of Caribbean (Cancun and Cozumel).
743,394 cruise passengers and 284,274 year, stay-over visitation significantly
stay-over visitors. Both cruise and stay- exceeded the Department’s goals. New CTO Chairman
over visitation exceeded goals set by the Though the United States accounted
Cayman Islands Government. for 80.8% of all stay-over visitors, UK and Kenneth Bryan reveals
Ireland was the fastest recovering market strategic plans
Air Arrivals in 2022, reaching 77% of 2019’s visitation
For 2022, the Department of Tourism level. Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism
set a goal of 200,000 stay-over visitors, This was followed by Canada at 66% Organization’s Council of Ministers and
with the aim to reach 40% of 2019 tourism of 2019’s level with Canada recording Commissioners of Tourism, Kenneth
tax revenue. growth over 2019’s numbers in July, Bryan, who also serves as the Cayman
After a slow start in January, visitation October and December 2022. Islands’ Minister of Tourism and Transport,
increased rapidly month-on-month over the Latin America was the third fastest summarized that great strides have been
first half of the year, as the Cayman Islands recovering market reaching 60% of 2019’s made in Caribbean tourism, a clear
Government phased-in its easing of travel visitation. indication that the sector is bouncing back,
restrictions. Cruise ships returned to the Cayman and hopes are high that the robust pace
At the end of August, when all travel Islands in March 2022, and by December of recovery will continue into 2023 and
restrictions were lifted, air arrivals soared. 2022, the destination had welcomed beyond.
Visitation during the last quarter of 2023 743,394 cruise passengers on 261 ships. “So although we have not yet
averaged 89% of 2019’s numbers and for The Caymans have set an overall 2023 surpassed 2019’s numbers across the
the full year, January through December, goal of 70% of 2019 numbers. board in every jurisdiction, the needle is
certainly moving in the right direction,” he
commented.
Puerto Rico reports record tourism results The chairman envisioned 2023 as a
period of growth and development for the
Puerto Rico’s tourism industry closed visitors to Puerto Rico. Compared with CTO, which is laser-focused on growing
the year with new records in visitation, 2021, the increase is 10%. the membership, including countries,
visitor spending and jobs – signaling Between January - October of 2022, territories as well as allied partners.
one of the best years in its history and travelers contributed $1.345 billion to the “It is also my intention to strengthen
solidifying the Territory’s recovery from island’s lodging sector, an increase of about the relationships with other organizations,
the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. 30%. such as the United Nations World Travel
Discover Puerto Rico took a very Employment rose to 91,200 jobs in the Organization, the World Travel and
pro-active role to reach these milestones, leisure and hospitality sectors, the highest Tourism Council, and even the Central
including investing $50 million in number in Puerto Rico’s history. Wages American Tourism Promotion Agency
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds also rose, say the tourism officials. (CATA), to foster greater collaboration,”
that have been integrated into efforts to Discover Puerto Rico said that it had said Minister Bryan.
promote Puerto Rico as a tourism destin- participated in more than 75 trade shows, He says that the CTO is considering
ation. road shows, and promotional activations, in restructuring the organization and
Discover Puerto Rico expects 2022 the last three months of 2022, and had been reforming its strategic vision and direction
will end up with a 7% increase in overall able to double its budget by investing one- for the next five years, which includes the
visitation compared to 2019, when the time federal funds in tourism promotion. appointment of a new Secretary-General,
cruise industry attracted one of every three he confirmed.

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