Yes, the title is correct, and that is exactly what I mean. There are some Caribbean countries that are more welcoming than others. In the next few minutes you will get a clearer picture, but my premise remains true, many Caribbean islands, especially Caricom nations are not as welcoming to tourist as non-Caricom Caribbean islands. My research suggests that accessibility, infrastructure and culture are drivers that make some islands less welcoming.
Many Caricom nations were a no show at a recent, well-known, international travel event that drew thousands of shoppers who were armed with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express and willing to strike a deal on the spot. The French and Dutch Caribbean islands filled the vacuum and made great direct to consumer pitches demonstrating by their presence, participation and program that all are welcome to their shores.
Accessibility remains a critical challenge for some Caricom islands because of the lack of frequent (more than one flight a day) regional and international fights. For example, if one tried to travel from Curaçao to Dominica or Curaçao to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for example, the flight would take 9-23 hours flying and waiting time, depending on itinerary or carrier chosen. A flight from the Northeast USA to the same destinations (Dominica or St. Vincent and the Grenadines) would be in the same time range and trending more to a total travel time in excess of 12 hours. Generally, North Americans view Caribbean destinations with flight times above 5 hours less favorably.
Tourists are turned off by 2 and 3 star properties masquerading as 5 star properties. In the Internet Age, where photo sharing is common, Tourism Associations and Tourism Boards must ensure that they develop mechanism to work with Hotels and Resorts to ensure accurate descriptions of accommodation. Failure to ensure consistency will bring local tourist products into question. Additionally, each citizen must be a tourism ambassador, and treat the tourist with care and attention that they have come to expect from friendly Caribbean island life. Happy Tourists are Repeat Tourists; so rudeness and poor service should be eliminated from the Caricom tourism industry. There will never be a good explanation for any subtle act of discrimination towards tourist.
Saba is the most welcoming honeymoon and wedding destination in the Caribbean. One might speculate that because the Dutch, Spanish, French and English, controlled Saba at different periods of time, Sabans are more open to change and differences. In reality, Sabans demonstrate respect for all tourist. Saba has accommodation for every budget and food for every taste.
Bonaire the island known for its pink flamingos is another ideal location for honeymoons and weddings. Bonaire is the “B” in the ABC islands, which includes Aruba and Curaçao. Bonaire is a great location for an active honeymoon based on attractions that include snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking in the mangroves or along the shore, cycling and horseback riding. Bonaire would be the perfect honeymoon destination for a bird watching couple.
St. Martin the French side of the island with the same name as its Dutch neighbour, boast many 3-5 star properties that offer good honeymoon and wedding destination packages. Like Bonaire, St. Martin is an active lifestyle honeymoon destination, especially for water sports. Fashion enthusiasts will be delighted with some of the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean.
Theo is travel professional and travel author with more than 15 years of experience personalizing cruises, rail vacations and all inclusive resort getaways. His business niche includes small ship and river cruises, and international rail travel. Theo pioneered No USA Visa Cruises™, and Layaway Cruise™ in Latin America and the Caribbean. Theo is a certified cruise, rail and resort specialist. Contact him via email [email protected].
We began visiting Dominica in 1987, when the island was beautiful and much safer. We retired to Dominica in 2008 and lived there through 2014. We saw Dominica become more and more dangerous, more and more polluted, noisier and noisier, more and more racist aimed against Whites and Asians, and more and more stupid because of the influence of missionaries. We saw young people become warped under the influence of the crap they see and her on TV and the Internet. We watched the population become poorer and more desperate under the influence of both international business and local politicians we suspect of being thoroughly corrupt. Now that we have sold all we owned in Dominica and are safe and happy in the USA we can speak out.
Taking of St. Martin, many people in the various islands complain about cruise tourists not spending during their short stay on island. What they fail to realize us that they do not offer tourists anything of value to buy.
Firstly they sell complete junk at ridiculous prices and thinking tourists are stupid are surprised that the tourists are not buying.
St. Martin on the other hand is the complete opposite. They offer quality product at good prices and as a result they have a thriving tourism market. They respect the tourist, not playing them for fools.
Perhaps we should copy their method.
I agree with you and it’s about time that the authorities in Dominica accept that and do something about it.. If they want tourist to start spending money they have to first inspect the items the Vendors are selling, We have some very good local goodies worth purchasing if they are displayed properly .
NOT STLUCIA THAT THE BEST WHERE THESE ISLAND COMING IN AND STLUCIA NOWHERE