News
Challenging year 2012: A year in review in the Caribbean Community
The Caribbean tourism industry continued to show signs of recovery during 2012 fuelled by improvements in the American and Canadian markets.
However, the Secretary General of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Hugh Riley warned that the region continued to face challenges in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom market from which the numbers have been falling. He said visitor spending has also been sluggish.
Additionally, the region continued its unsuccessful lobby against the Air Passenger Duty (APD), instituted in 1994 as a British environmental tax aimed at offsetting aviation’s carbon footprint. The Caribbean argues the tax makes travel to the region expensive for any family.
While the Caribbean was spared the widespread devastation of hurricanes in the past, in 2012, Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Isaac brought death and destruction to Haiti, Jamaica and several other regional countries. (CMC)
