The heavily tourism-dependent countries of the region are reportedly gradually reported to be ‘breathing easier’ as indications of what commentators are describing as a ‘bounce back’ for tourism, a crucial income-earner for several otherwise resource-poor states.
Having collectively held their breath since the ravages of the covid-19 pandemic suddenly ‘dried up’ the movement of tourists into the region, devastating the services sectors across the region and gouging huge holes in employment levels, Caribbean island states were this week welcoming the signals of optimism by regional hoteliers. Indeed, what the hoteliers had to say went beyond the cautious optimism that had hitherto been underpinning projections for the recovery of the sector. “The region’s tourism renaissance is well underway, with some destinations approaching or exceeding record visitor arrival numbers,” one regional media report trumpeted earlier this week.
