BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Dec. 26, 2014, CNS – Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism Richard Sealy said data collected by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO’s) research department thus far indicate that the Caribbean is moving in the right direction as it relates to cruise visits, long-stay arrivals and tourism spend.
“No doubt, the unrelenting efforts of our member countries, the CTO and our partners in the private sector, combined to produce these positive results. The addition of new hotel rooms and the introduction of added airline seats out of major source markets, bode well for our industry,” Sealy said.
The CTO Chairman said adjustments to the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) “were among the hallmarks for us at the CTO. Next April’s lowering of the tax, changes from the four-band to a two-band system, which removes the unfair advantage that some competing destinations had over the Caribbean, and the removal of the tax on tickets for children under age 12 in the following month, make travel to the Caribbean more affordable for families.”
He called on tourism stakeholders throughout the region to play their part in order to realise the CTO’s vision of positioning the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination.
“Let’s call on the same determination and resilience with which we faced the downturn that began in 2008, to take action to promote the Caribbean as a single destination. Let’s invoke our great spirit as Caribbean nationals to tackle the continuously vexing issue of the high cost and inconvenience of intra-Caribbean travel. Let’s call on our amiable hospitality to ensure an unforgettable experience every time for our visitors and guests, knowing full well that seemingly small acts of kindness can have a big impact on our industry.”
