Statistics prove tourism decline in the islands

We've been hearing for some time now how badly the Caribbean, the world's most intensive tourism area, has been faring with the global economic downturn.

Now, with statistics released from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), some territories are showing just how much their industries have been affected.

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Belize, Cayman Islands and the US Virgin Islands are among the main players in the English speaking Caribbean showing a huge decline in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2009.

Anguilla showed a decline of 18.8 per cent; Antigua, 14.3 per cent; Belize, 2.4 per cent; Cayman Islands, 11.3 per cent; St Lucia, 13.7 per cent: and the US Virgin Islands, 6.1 per cent.

Of the Spanish speaking territories, Puerto Rico showed a drop of 4.7 per cent and the Dominican Republic 4.4 per cent.

Of all the countries that submitted their data, Jamaica and Cuba showed improvements with Jamaica showing a 3.2 increase and Cuba, 4.5 per cent.

The majority of countries suffered major losses from the US and European markets, with St Lucia losing the most from its US market with a 24.2 per cent decline.

Canada was the only market from which there was an increase for most countries with the exception of Antigua and the Cayman Islands.