According to the latest findings from ForwardKeys, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), there has been a notable resurgence in tourism in countries affected by Hurricane Beryl, particularly from travelers originating in the United States. Although further analysis is still underway, the preliminary data indicates a positive trend in the Caribbean’s tourism sector, showcasing its resilience and capacity for recovery.
Following a temporary decrease in Caribbean bookings post-storm, the region has demonstrated a remarkable rebound. The United States, a key market for the Caribbean, shows promising signs of rapid recovery, surpassing the overall average.
Notably, Grenada, directly affected by the storm, has exhibited an impressive recovery, swiftly returning its market to nearly pre-storm levels. Specifically, since July 9, ticket sales from the U.S. to the Caribbean have resumed year-on-year growth, indicating a strong comeback despite initial setbacks. Jamaica, also hit by the storm, showed a speedy recovery to near-normal booking rates.
| Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys, stated: “ForwardKeys’ comprehensive travel intelligence clearly shows the significant short-term impact that Hurricane Beryl had on travel to the Caribbean, particularly to those islands in the direct path of the storm. However, the speed of the recovery is a highly encouraging sign of the resilience of the region’s tourism economy. The U.S. market, which is so critical for the Caribbean, is leading the way, while segments such as group travel and VFR are rebounding more strongly as humanitarian and essential travel pick up pace. While there was an immediate and severe hit to bookings, we are seeing a normalization to 2023 levels across the region, which bodes well for the remainder of the season.”
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| President of CHTA, Nicola Madden-Greig, breaking it down further said,”While the impact of Hurricane Beryl was felt directly in the affected destinations – St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and South Coast of Jamaica – as well as indirectly in other islands in the region, it’s crucial to remember that the Caribbean is vast. While travel to affected areas temporarily decreased, numerous destinations untouched by the storm remain fully operational and open for business. Moreover, the swift rebound in bookings from the U.S., our largest source market, underscores our region’s enduring appeal. This rapid recovery not only highlights our industry’s resilience and strength but also reaffirms our unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges.” |
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