In almost every country in the Caribbean, tourism has been transformative. As an economic driver it has largely outpaced other sectors to the extent that in much of the region the industry now generates the largest national share of GDP, delivers significant taxes and foreign exchange, and performs a critical social role as the largest direct and indirect private employer of labour
Despite this relative success, the industry’s future should not be taken for granted.
While tourism globally is trending upwards, recent reports suggest that this is not the likely trajectory for the Caribbean. According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region will by 2030 be experiencing much higher growth rates than the Caribbean.