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Intra-regional travel in the Caribbean had losses of more than $1,000 million

Intra-regional travel in the Caribbean had losses of more than $1,000 million

Caribbean News Digital Editorial Office

After noting the loss of more than 1,000 million dollars in 2021 due to the stagnation of travel between destinations in the region, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) recommends a concerted effort by the leaders of the government and the Caribbean private sector to boost intra-regional travel, while promoting greater parity, clarity and consistency for travel.

While international travel to the region has recovered to 75% of pre-pandemic levels, intra-regional business and leisure travel has fallen to around 30%, with smaller Caribbean economies and small businesses have been particularly hard hit, according to CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig.

Stimulating intra-regional travel, Madden-Greig argued, would spur more local spending, boost trade in local goods and services, increase government revenue and revitalize local economies.

Among the proposed measures to reinvigorate sluggish local economies are increased services to revive regional air travel, lowering the costs of COVID-19 testing, reducing testing time and reducing long periods of isolation. The CHTA also recommends an exemption or reduction of air transport fees, similar to the one proposed to Caribbean leaders by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, who is setting an example by reducing fees in his country.

In addition, more uniform and consistent regional travel protocols would reduce traveler uncertainty, while diligence on health safety and increased vaccinations are critical to speeding the return of local festivals and events, key elements of the intra-regional travel.

Regional travelers include Caribbean residents visiting family and friends; attend holiday events, weddings, funerals, reunions, and homecomings; conduct business; they sell goods and services; participate in training and meetings; and enjoy holidays, festivals, sports and other events.

Reiterating the importance of consistency, the CHTA, speaking on behalf of private sector tourism agents, recommended removing barriers to travel that significantly increase cost and uncertainty for travellers, and putting in place low-risk protocols to encourage travel.

These protocols would include asking all travelers in the region to present a negative COVID-19 antigen test 24 hours prior to departure when traveling from one Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to another.

The CHTA also recommended the elimination of on-arrival testing - and pre-departure (on return home) testing - for fully vaccinated, asymptomatic travelers within CARICOM jurisdictions, while unvaccinated travelers would have to adhere to standard protocols for international travellers.

Reducing the profusion of taxes and fees levied on travelers would be a big boost to intra-regional travel, and the CHTA repeated its call for lower travel taxes and fees, a move the association said was hailed by various organizations, including the Caribbean Development Bank.

CHTA also reported that some governments are working with major regional airlines and the lodging industry to put in place travel incentives that promote intra-regional travel.

The measures proposed by the CHTA were received with receptivity by the regional airlines, which indicated that the return of intra-regional travelers is essential for their viability.

"Despite the pandemic, we have added four new destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, adding even more connection points and increasing the ability for business and leisure travelers to move seamlessly throughout the region. We welcome the efforts of governments and private sector partners to put in place additional measures to support and encourage the return of intra-Caribbean travel," said Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways.

CHTA President Madden-Greig also cited the broad impact that intra-regional travelers have on local economies, as they spend at a higher level on local goods and services and move around the community more than out-of-town travelers. the region. "We know that economic and social ties are stronger, and leakages are lower, as more revenue circulates within our countries and territories, benefiting a range of businesses beyond the accommodation sector," said Madden. -Greig.

CHTA also called on regional airlines, such as Bahamasair, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, interCaribbean Airways and LIAT, to work together with the public and private sectors to stimulate intra-regional travel. "It's not out of our hands to get it done," Madden-Greig reiterated.

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