According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, this year will be a boom
year for Canadian tourism to the Caribbean. Recent figures released by the CTO
Information Managementa nd Research Development show that Canadian travel to the
Caribbean is up 36% in the first-quarter of 2003 compared to the same period
last year. They indicate that average hotel room revenues have stayed the same.
According to the CTO, the main reason for the increase is the Canadian dollar,
which is up 16% versus the US dollar this year – a six year high. However,
geographic proximity, safety and weather are also listed as reasons for the
increase in travel.
"While the dollar does play a significant role in Canadian’s flocking to the
Caribbean, geographic proximity and safety amongst novice and experienced
travellers should not be overlooked," said CTO manager Andrew Parris. "Tourism
performance for 2003 so far demonstrates that we are recovering from the 9/11
crisis in spite of everything else going on in the world right now."