EDITOR’S NOTE: As winter transitions into spring, the travel industry hopes for a brighter future. And, there have been signs for optimism: vaccinations are in progress, both in target markets and destinations. Even the cruise industry is showing signs of resuming this year. #IslandsCaribbean therefore reflects on the year past, and takes a look at promotions underway.
Our headline taken from Nation News reads: “Grenada Reopening For Tourism In April”. According to the Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, “The UK airlines have now reported that they will be resuming flights from April which coincide with the movement by some of the hotels to reopen”.
Two islands hit exceptionally hard by the depressed industry are Cuba, and The Bahamas: the latter was recovering from damage incurred from two major hurricanes, prior to the pandemic; and, increasingly restrictive trade sanctions were levied on the former during the pandemic. Both have an article which looks at their individual efforts at restoring their economies.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has even partnered with Airbnb to increase tourism to the region this year. But, Tobago seems to be already experiencing what the others hope to see in the near future. Going into the long Easter weekend, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association is reporting a 76 per cent occupancy rate. Happy Easter everybody!