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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION
INTRA-REGIONAL
TRAVEL MARKET STUDY
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
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Table of Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................................. i
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ i
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... iii
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Regional overview............................................................................................................. iii
Travel patterns ..................................................................................................................... v
Intra-regional travel ............................................................................................................. v
Competitive issues affecting the Caribbean ..................................................................... vii
Travel trade structure and distribution ............................................................................ viii
Ideas for proactive marketing .............................................................................................ix
The way forward ................................................................................................................xi
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ xii
Map of the Caribbean .................................................................................................... xiii
1.
Regional Overview ................................................................................................ 1
1.1
1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.3
1.4
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
Population of the Caribbean ................................................................................................ 1
Demographic influences ...................................................................................................... 2
Retired persons .................................................................................................................... 2
Family size remains stable or declining .............................................................................. 2
Regional groupings.............................................................................................................. 2
Macroeconomic influences.................................................................................................. 4
Currencies and exchange rates ............................................................................................ 8
Visa requirements ................................................................................................................ 9
Departure taxes and levies ................................................................................................. 12
2.
Travel Patterns .................................................................................................... 14
2.1
2.2
2.3
Growth in intra-regional travel .......................................................................................... 16
Seasonal variations ............................................................................................................ 18
Originating markets ........................................................................................................... 19
3.
Intra-Regional Travel ......................................................................................... 22
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.3
3.3.4
3.3.5
3.3.6
3.4
3.5
Use of annual vacation entitlement and public holidays ................................................... 22
Expenditure by intra-regional travellers ............................................................................ 24
Leisure travel ..................................................................................................................... 24
Shopping............................................................................................................................ 25
Sports ................................................................................................................................. 25
Social events and cultural festivals.................................................................................... 29
Medical .............................................................................................................................. 31
Emigration and travel visas ............................................................................................... 31
Education ........................................................................................................................... 32
Business – commerce, meetings and conferences ............................................................. 35
Visiting friends and relatives ............................................................................................. 36
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4.
Competitive Issues Affecting the Caribbean .................................................... 37
4.1
4.2
4.3
Extra-regional travel by Caribbean residents .................................................................... 37
Main purpose of extra-regional travel ............................................................................... 38
Barriers to more and frequent intra-regional travel ........................................................... 38
5.
Travel Trade Structure and Distribution ......................................................... 40
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3
5.3.4
5.3.5
5.4
Trends in tour operating .................................................................................................... 40
Trends in intra-regional tours ............................................................................................ 40
Travel agency profiles – examples across the region ........................................................ 42
Barbados ............................................................................................................................ 42
Jamaica .............................................................................................................................. 42
Grenada ............................................................................................................................. 42
St. Kitts and Nevis ............................................................................................................. 43
Guyana .............................................................................................................................. 43
Transportation within the Caribbean ................................................................................. 43
6.
Ideas for Proactive Marketing ........................................................................... 47
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
6.11
6.12
6.13
6.14
6.15
Role of national tourism organisations .............................................................................. 47
Role of travel agent ........................................................................................................... 48
Role of CTO chapters ........................................................................................................ 49
Selective targeting ............................................................................................................. 49
Attention to product........................................................................................................... 49
Marketing distribution channels ........................................................................................ 50
Fairs and exhibitions ......................................................................................................... 51
Media relations .................................................................................................................. 52
Travel trade advertising ..................................................................................................... 52
Sales missions.................................................................................................................... 53
Special interest tours ......................................................................................................... 53
Use of technology .............................................................................................................. 53
Consumer advertising and promotion ............................................................................... 54
Sales literature ................................................................................................................... 55
In-flight advertising ........................................................................................................... 55
7.
The Way Forward ............................................................................................... 56
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.3.1
7.3.2
7.3.3
7.3.4
7.3.5
7.4
The challenge – to develop awareness .............................................................................. 56
The challenge – to collect and share data .......................................................................... 57
The opportunity ................................................................................................................. 58
CTO Caribbean Chapters .................................................................................................. 58
Awareness ......................................................................................................................... 58
Calendar of Festivals and Cultural Events ........................................................................ 59
Initiatives ........................................................................................................................... 59
Marketing Strategies.......................................................................................................... 60
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 61
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Glossary ............................................................................................................... 62
APPENDICES
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Appendix J
Appendix K
Appendix L
Appendix M
Appendix N
Appendix O
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CTO Members
Ministries of Tourism
Statistical Departments
National Tourism Organisations
Hotel & Tourism Associations
CTO Chapters
Airlines Operating Intra-regionally
Public Holidays
Festivals and Cultural Events
Caribbean News Media
Flight Route – Air Jamaica
Flight Route – LIAT
American Eagle
Helen Air
Air ALM
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Preface
Against a background of growing international competition in tourism, the Caribbean Tourism
Organization (CTO) compiled this study with a view to identifying the size and scope of the intraregional tourism market. Caribbean governments are committed to creating a network of interest
among tourism personnel, travel agents, and other tourism suppliers within the Caribbean to sell
the Caribbean product to Caribbean nationals, as an alternative to international destinations.
CTO was mandated by member governments to develop and promote a Caribbean Market Guide
similar to those created for other markets, but adapted to suit the Caribbean situation.
The intra-regional market study was compiled by KPMG Management Consultants (KPMG), and
drew from information, statistics, travel trends and other appropriate sources of primary and
secondary data readily available in the industry. The information collected served to highlight
the importance of intra-regional travel to the overall tourism performance of Caribbean
destinations, and presented recommendations to facilitate the growth and the development of this
market.
Our most sincere thanks to our partners KPMG, and the Organisation of American States (OAS),
who contributed to this study, for their support in making this project a reality. We look forward
to assisting with the development of a better understanding and appreciation of the intra-regional
tourism market and Caribbean Tourism.
Luther G. Miller
Director of Finance & Resource Management
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Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Introduction
The Caribbean draws its visitors from among the world’s largest
originating markets – the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and
Canada. In 1998 the Caribbean received over 19.9 million long stay
visitors, with 1.5 million (7.7%) from the region itself. In comparison
to more distant originating markets, there is still much to learn about
intra-Caribbean travel, which many believe holds tremendous
potential for further development.
This report is a collaborative effort between the CTO, KPMG and the OAS. It was developed to
provide an overview of Caribbean travel by Caribbean residents and to assist those involved in
the industry to develop attractive products and to proactively market to this emerging sector. The
report highlights the unique nature of the intra-regional travel market and provides a practical
guide to help market the region to Caribbean residents.
In defining the intra-regional market we consider only travel between distinct jurisdictions,
excluding all cruise traffic to the countries and territories of the region. Travel by residents of a
jurisdiction within that country or politically-linked islands is not addressed in the report. For
example, although residents of St. Kitts may travel to Nevis to visit friends and relatives or to
vacation at a resort, this movement would not be captured in the statistics as an intra-regional
visit and intra-jurisdictional marketing is not specifically considered.
Unlike the single country market reports previously commissioned by CTO, the intra-regional
report considers data from 33 countries and territories, which creates unique challenges for both
data collection and marketing. Although quantitative baseline data is provided for each country
and territory, we discuss trends and marketing approaches using logical groupings and specific
examples.
One of the challenges in developing this report on intra-regional travel was the availability of
comparable statistical data for each country and territory. Where possible we have filled in the
gaps in quantitative data based on the professional judgement of the project team, and have
flagged the data accordingly.
In developing the report tremendous effort was made to solicit both factual information and
perspectives from each destination. National tourism organizations, Ministries of tourism,
statistical departments, hotel and tourism associations, CTO chapters and airlines were contacted
and their input sought. Despite many calls and follow up requests by many members of our
project team, less than half (42%) of those who were asked to provide information responded.
{See Appendices B, C, D, E, F & G.) In some instances this may reflect a lack of interest in intraregional travel, but in most instances we believe it is but a symptom of one of the region’s
systemic weaknesses – the inability to develop and implement tourism related initiatives that
transcend political boundaries.
The information presented in the report is current as of the date of publishing, however you are
encouraged to consult original reference sources whenever up to date information is required.
We have identified the original sources in the tables and graphs to assist you in accessing the
credibility of these references and locating original sources of information. Alternatively,
updated copies of key tables and exhibits from this report can be viewed on the CTO web site
www.caribtourism.com.
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We have provided definitions for all grayed, bold-italicized terms in the glossary at the back of
the report. Except where noted all financial data is quoted in US dollars and “N/A” is used to
indicate that the information is not available.
* * *
Many organizations and individuals have assisted in the development of this report. We would
like to thank the government ministries, tourism authorities, statistical departments, CTO
chapters, industry representatives and all others who contributed to this effort.
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Executive Summary
The 34 countries and territories of the Caribbean region vary tremendously
in terrain, size, economic prosperity and cultural origins. With a total
population of approximately 60.7 million, it is the third largest source of
visitors to the Caribbean behind the United States (263.8mn) and Germany
(81.9mn).
A.
Regional overview
Historically and geographically, the Caribbean can be broken into several distinct groupings of
the Commonwealth OECS, other Commonwealth, the Dutch Caribbean, the French West Indies,
US Territories and others. (See Table 1.) These colonial ties continue to play an important role
in determining both intra-regional and international travel patterns, however, proximity to major
markets and air-lift are also important factors.
Table 1
Regional groupings
Commonwealth OECS Countries
Anguilla
 Antigua & Barbuda
 Dominica
 Grenada
 Montserrat
 St. Kitts and Nevis
 St. Lucia
 St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Other Commonwealth
 The Bahamas
 Barbados
 Belize
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
 Guyana
 Jamaica
 Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Territories
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
Population
GDP @ Factor
Cost
GDP per
capita
(thousands)
(US $ millions)
(US$)
11
70
76
100
5
43
151
111
$71
$489
$206
$259
$35
$222
$488
$240
$6,526
$6,990
$2,715
$2,603
$7,014
$5,213
$3,241
N/A
566
N/A
N/A
288
265
230
19
36
775
2,553
1,270
16
5,452
3,806
117
3,923
$3,939
$1,786
$523
$275
$711
$627
$6,221
$5,424
N/A
N/A
$13,677
$6,739
$2,273
$14,468
$19,791
$808
$2,436
$4,271
N/A
N/A
$48,102
N/A
$12,638
N/A
N/A
N/A
Population
GDP @ Factor
Cost
GDP per
capita
(thousands)
(US $ millions)
(US$)
Dutch Caribbean
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
St. Maarten
St. Eustatius
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N/A
N/A
$1,534
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$12,360
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
450
N/A
$789
N/A
N/A
$2,018
N/A
49,280
$14,572
$14,870
$267
N/A
N/A
$434
$55,849
N/A
$1,317
$2,009
$36
N/A
N/A
$1,045
$2,494
N/A
13,843
N/A
N/A
60,360
N/A
N/A
N/A
French West Indies
Guadeloupe
Martinique
1
Other Countries
Cuba
Dominican Republic
 Haiti
Cancun
Cozumel
 Suriname
Venezuela
 CARICOM
CARIBBEAN TOTAL
N/A = Not Available
CARICOM members
1 Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
Source: CTO Caribbean Tourism Statistical Report 1997
89
15
153
2
38
2
299
391
841
11,066
7,400
7,492
450
60
415
22,396
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Demographic and macro-economic influences
The Caribbean region is expected to increase in population, assuming no significant changes in
immigration and emigration. Important demographic trends that may influence long-term travel
trends include:

As the number of Caribbean retirees with good health and financial savings increases, seniors
could represent an important niche market for intra-regional travel.

Fewer children per household may increase disposable income for travel both for family
vacations and for children as part of, for example, school or sporting groups.
Foreign trade and political alliances create the need for extensive travel across the region.
Caribbean countries and territories are loosely integrated through various regional and
international agreements. Principal regional treaty and trade agreements include the Caribbean
Common Market (CARICOM), the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and the Organisation
of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Principal international treaty and trade agreements include
the ACP Lome Convention, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB). In addition, myriad special purpose arrangements between certain
countries and territories suggest an emerging trend to greater co-operation across the Caribbean.
According to the CDB, Caribbean economies have achieved real growth in output over the past
several years while keeping inflation in check. New construction is one of the fastest growing
sectors in the region, particularly in residential and commercial accommodation.
Notwithstanding, forecasters’ expectations for short to mid term growth are dampened by:

Low crop yields caused by drought in the aftermath of El Niño;

Continued pressure on the European Union to reconsider its banana
marketing regime;

Dropping world oil prices, and

The impact of recent hurricanes on infrastructure and tourism facilities and travelers attitudes.
Travel requirements
Virtually every Caribbean destination requires photo identification, usually in the form of a
passport at the port of entry. Many airport entry ports also require proof that the visitor has a
valid return ticket and some confirmation that the visitor has the means to support him/herself
during the visit. Although citizens of CARICOM and OECS countries do not require a visa for
travel between member countries of these groupings, visas are required for intra-regional travel
for citizens of certain countries. For example, Caribbean nationals need visas to travel to any US
territory including travelers making flight connections through a US airport.
Most Caribbean countries and jurisdictions charge a departure tax for visitors over the age of 12
and several impose additional levies. Total departure taxes and levies vary from US$3 to US$25
with most destinations charging in the order of US$10 to US$20. Departure taxes are usually
quoted in US dollars and can be paid in either US dollars or the local currency. A few
destinations offer special rates to certain travelers although the applicability of the rate varies
widely.
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Travel patterns
Of the 1.5 million arrivals generated by Caribbean travel across the
region in 1998, the top five Caribbean destinations (i.e., Puerto Rico,
Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba, Venezuela and Barbados) together accounted
for 45% of all intra-regional movements. Puerto Rico’s primary draw is
as a Mecca to Caribbean shoppers. Both Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados are major hubs for
commercial business and attract many shoppers because of the number and variety of duty free
and retail stores. For Cuba, many areas of social and economic cooperation drive substantial
travel. Additionally, relatively low prices and the mystique that has developed during its political
and social isolation have also made Cuba a popular holiday choice for many Caribbean residents.
Growth and variations in intra-regional travel
The relative importance of intra-regional travel varies greatly across the Caribbean from as little
as 0.3% of 1998 annual arrivals to Saba to as much as 54.7% of 1998 annual arrivals in
Dominica. Other islands that rely on intra-regional travel as a substantial component of annual
arrivals include Montserrat (43.1%), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (37.0%), St. Kitts and Nevis
(31.1%) and Guyana (28.5%).
Overall, intra-regional travel has increased by 34% during the five-year period 1994 to 1998.
However, while some destinations such as Venezuela, Cuba and the Cayman Islands have
increased their intra-regional arrivals, others such as Montserrat and St. Maarten, have
experienced declining intra-regional arrivals.
Although seasonal arrivals vary substantially across the region, most destinations receive a
relatively high proportion of intra-regional visitors during July and August when schools are on
summer break and many Caribbean destinations host annual carnival celebrations. Preliminary
data for 1998 suggests that nearly 23% of intra-regional travel occurred during these two months.
Circuits of travel
While it is clear that there are defined circuits of travel between certain Caribbean countries and
territories, many destinations do not have the mechanisms in place to quantify these patterns.
Pairs of countries and territories with substantial reciprocal traffic include, for example:

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands;

Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada;

Antigua & St. Kitts and Nevis;

Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados.
Additionally, tourism statistics show substantial travel between the French territories and the
Creole speaking islands in the OECS (Dominica and St. Lucia) and between residents of the
Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) and Aruba.
C.
Intra-regional travel
Sample market surveys indicate that in comparison to other originating markets, intra-regional
long stay visitors frequently spend more in host destinations. In Grenada, for example, the
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average Caribbean visitor spends US$204 per day as compared with the overall average of
US$146. Similar studies in Suriname and Curaçao indicate that Caribbean residents exceed the
overall average daily expenditures by 40% and 80% respectively. In contrast, Caribbean visitors
to Barbados spent US$104 in 1997 compared to an overall average of US$127.
Annual vacation entitlements and public holidays vary across the Caribbean. In most
Commonwealth islands, workers are entitled to a minimum of three weeks annual vacation,
which is extended to four weeks after five years of service. In contrast, in the French West Indies
and the Dutch Caribbean, many residents are entitled to an average of six weeks annual vacation,
while in US territories annual vacation entitlement is much shorter, typically only two to three
weeks.
A variety of public holidays are observed across the Caribbean, many of which are tied to long
weekends and create opportunities for travel. Virtually every Caribbean country and territory
observes Good Friday and Christmas, but the number of other public holidays varies with most
countries and territories observing from 10 to 13 public holidays annually.
Purpose of intra-regional travel
Leisure travel by Caribbean residents accounts for significant movement
intra-regionally. It includes shopping trips, sports, social events and
cultural festivals and personal business requirements such as to obtain
medical treatment or documentation for international travel or to further
one’s education.
Within the Caribbean, certain destinations are positioned as shopping destinations, including
Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Barbados, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela – particularly
Margarita.
Sporting teams generate large blocks of movement across the Caribbean and span the gamut from
professional, to private social clubs and associations and school groups. Associated with any
given sports team will be a large number of competitors, officials, parents/guardians and team
supporters.
The Caribbean is rife with social events and cultural festivals that can substantially boost arrivals
to the host destination. For example, the May 1997 jazz festival in St. Lucia coincided with a
sharp spike in Caribbean arrivals (11.2% of the annual total compared with 7.5% in April and
5.6% in June).
Certain medical treatments and facilities are only available in some of the more developed CTO
member states. Countries such as Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Venezuela serve as
regional centres for specialised medical care.
Caribbean residents wishing to emigrate often need to obtain a travel visa or entry permit.
Embassies, commissions and consulates for various countries are located throughout the
Caribbean and timely completion of such entry documents frequently necessitates travel to a
Caribbean destination that hosts the appropriate embassy or commission.
Tertiary educational institutions, such as the University of the West Indies and St. George’s
University, account for much travel by Caribbean residents to Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada,
Jamaica, the Bahamas and Barbados. An estimated 2,500 students move throughout the
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Caribbean at the beginning and end of the school year and up to 95% of these students also return
home for the Christmas holiday.
Business accounts for a good deal of intra-regional travel with Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad &
Tobago serving as hubs for much of the regional commerce. From a strategically located base in
one or more islands, international agencies coordinate their activities across the region. These
agencies themselves precipitate a good deal of travel to other Caribbean destinations by their
representatives who need to visit the agencies’ offices to complete commercial and personal
business travel across the region.
Meetings and conferences generate extensive travel by Caribbean residents through the region as
well as to various international centres. Major regional and/or international conferences and
meetings are most often held in Aruba, Cancun, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Bahamas because
of the availability of large hotels that offer large, on-site conference facilities. Small conferences
and meetings are held in a variety of islands including Antigua, Barbados and Trinidad &
Tobago.
Caribbean nationals often have family ties and friends resident across the region. This dispersion
of families is historically a result of the movement of persons because of
employment and educational opportunities. Personal events such as
weddings, christenings, funerals and family reunions account for a
significant amount of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel intraregionally. While qualitative evidence suggests that honeymoons within the
region remain quite appealing for Caribbean residents, statistical data is not
available to quantify the importance of this market.
D.
Competitive issues affecting the Caribbean
Although quantitative data on extra-regional travel is not readily available, industry experts
concur that discernible patterns for extra-regional travel exist. Most extra-regional leisure travel
generally occurs during the summer months and during the Christmas holiday season. Generally,
the greater the distance traveled, the longer the length of stay.
Major extra-regional holiday destinations for Caribbean travelers are the United States – New
York and Miami, Canada – Toronto, and the United Kingdom – London. In 1997, the United
States reported 1.7 million arrivals by Caribbean residents. In 1996, Canada reported 56
thousand arrivals by Caribbean residents and the United Kingdom reported 65 thousand arrivals
by Caribbean residents. These statistics may understate total travel by Caribbean residents as
many Caribbean travelers are citizens of the US, Canada or the United Kingdom, and hence are
not captured in the statistics.
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Extra-regional leisure travel tends to focus around visits to friends and relatives and usually
utilises most, if not all, of the annual holiday from work. Shopping is usually a major component
of these trips even though stand-alone shopping trips are often taken periodically during the year.
Intra-regional travel by Caribbean residents is extensive. However, barriers to more and frequent
holiday travel exist and include the:

Relative difficulty of air access;

High cost of air transport and accommodation; and

Lack of knowledge or awareness of the diversity of the region.
E.
Travel trade structure and distribution
In the Caribbean, national tourism organisations, airlines and travel agents form the
major components of the travel distribution network. While national tourism
organisations are responsible for the generic marketing of the tourism product,
airlines and travel agents often drive the business of intra-regional travel through
their own destination packages which usually include air transport and
accommodation.
The Caribbean tour operator focuses primarily on the provision of local
representation for foreign tour operators, some ground tour operations inclusive of air and sea
port transfers, island tours and inter-island excursions. However, some travel agencies function
to a small extent as tour operators primarily developing extra-regional tours that include air,
accommodation, air transfers and sightseeing.
Regional airlines such as BWIA, LIAT and Air Jamaica function as vertically integrated tour
operators offering vacation packages that are geared to Caribbean residents. Generally, these
packages make use of scheduled flights and include return air travel, hotel accommodation, daily
breakfast, use of hotel facilities, hotel taxes and service charges. Intra-regional tours often focus
on sports although some are organised to coincide with major cultural events and/or long
weekends. These tours often rely on charter aircraft and are usually planned with a view to
ensuring that each leg of the route is fully subscribed.
Regionally owned airlines provide both scheduled and charter services within the region and to
major international destinations. Virtually every Caribbean country and territory is served by at
least a nominal schedule of intra-regional flights.
Some islands are hubs for intra-regional air transport. Puerto Rico and Jamaica facilitate travel to
the smaller islands of the northern Caribbean, while Barbados facilitates reasonably easy travel
amongst the OECS, French West Indies and the southern Caribbean.
Over twenty airlines provide scheduled air service through the Caribbean. Several of the larger
airlines, such as American Eagle, BWIA and Air Jamaica, provide service to all of the larger
destinations throughout the region. In contrast, many of the smaller airlines restrict their service
to a few islands that are relatively close to each other.
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Ideas for proactive marketing
An effective intra-regional marketing plan must identify and select those source markets that are
most attractive to the host destination. National tourism organisations, travel agents and CTO
chapters have an important role to play in proactively developing the intra-regional travel market.
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Stakeholder roles
Industry stakeholders have a significant role to play in further developing the intra-regional travel
market. National tourism organisations, travel agents, hotels and airlines can together achieve
this objective.
National tourism organisations have a key role to play in the development of the intra-regional
travel market. They must assess the costs and benefits of further developing the intra-regional
market and must focus their marketing initiatives on selective, high potential, intra-regional
source markets using many of the same approaches that are successfully incorporated into extraregional marketing efforts.
Travel agents can also play a lead role in developing the intra-regional market. They should
actively seek opportunities to package the region to Caribbean residents and develop and
consistently offer rates and packages that meet the needs of the intra-regional traveler and take
advantage of excess industry capacity.
The accommodation sector as a whole must take a more proactive stance
in developing this market. As such, hoteliers must employ more
creativity in packaging, pricing and promoting their product to Caribbean
residents as hotel rooms are perishable commodities.
Airline companies must make use of informal distribution channels and
market directly to the travelers who fill their seats. They must also be
prepared to employ competitive pricing strategies to encourage more and
frequent intra-regional travel.
Marketing strategies
Effective marketing must be founded upon constant attention to product,
including the environment and quality assurance. Quality assurance must
address all elements of the travel experience including those aspects
within Governments’ direct control such as customs, immigration, airport
management, security, health and social infrastructure, as well as those
services supplied by the private sector, such as accommodation, ground
transportation and activities.
Historically, most intra-regional marketing efforts have been relatively soft, employing public
relations and trade shows as principal marketing tools. For example, only a few Caribbean
destinations employ marketing personnel who are dedicated to regional source markets.
Marketing to the intra-regional market should therefore make appropriate use of a full range of
marketing techniques and should focus on both the travel trade and on select end consumers. It
should make appropriate use of:

Fairs and exhibitions to encourage contracting and development of innovative packages;

Media relations strategies to generate interest and favourable press coverage;

Travel trade advertising to increase knowledge and awareness of special events and
destination features;

Sales missions to high potential source markets;
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
Development of special interest tours;

Use of technology for the development of databases and web sites;

Direct marketing to end consumers in association with industry partners or as part of a
national tourism organisation’s advertising campaign;

Appropriate collateral materials; and

In flight advertising which provides expansive commentary to a captive audience that is
generally pre-disposed to travel.
G.
The way forward
Key to the further development of the intra-regional travel market is the
acknowledgement by individual destinations in the region that the Caribbean
is a viable and lucrative source market. Additionally, Caribbean residents
themselves must see the region as equally attractive as a holiday destination
as all other extra-regional destinations. As such key issues that must be
addressed to grow the intra-regional market are those of awareness, data
collection and marketing – the same issues that are relevant to extra-regional source markets.
Key issues
Caribbean residents need to be made aware that what was learnt in geography classes in schools
across the region about the countries and territories of the Caribbean are the same attributes that
make the region attractive as a tourism destination.
Equally important is information - the basis for decision making. There is therefore a need to
capture and standardise data that can be used to inform decision-makers at national tourism
organisations. Research/data informs the marketing process and requires a commitment of staff
resources that is often overlooked.
The private sector too must weigh the time spent compiling data against the benefits to be derived
by the industry as a whole and understand the value that is ultimately derived when data is
provided. And, government agencies must rationalise their data collection processes and
collaborate on the information required from the industry in order to facilitate and encourage the
sharing and collection of information.
The initiatives to drive the change process are marketing oriented and must be led by the CTO as
the organisation charged with increasing the value and volume of tourism flows to member states.
The CTO and the Caribbean tourism industry must implement a number of measures as a matter
of urgency. These initiatives should encompass:

A demonstrated commitment to sustainable tourism development operated in harmony with
the environment, local communities and cultures;

A commitment to expanding the flow of information between destinations and an increased
awareness of the Caribbean as a product;

The dedication of marketing resources – human and financial;
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
The development of market research – demographic and psychographic on the Caribbean
traveler;

Further development of the CTO Caribbean Chapters;

The development and packaging of tours in response to market demand with special pricing discounted airfares and accommodation – for Caribbean residents;

The transition of regional travel agents and ancillary service providers to vertically integrated
tour operators;

Sustained marketing programmes;

Access to and availability of air transport – and the further development of natural hubs;

A commitment to co-operation with regard to the compilation and sharing of data;

Implementation of the United Nations, World Tourism Organisation recommendations on
tourism statistics;

The development of a MIS system for tourism that highlights key tourism statistics and
indicators that is not focused on the immigration card, but on all data as it relates to tourism.
H
Conclusion
The intra-regional travel market is an important and viable one. Many countries and territories in
the Caribbean recognise this and actively pursue the further development of this market.
However, for this market to grow and for the countries and territories of the region to realise its
significant potential, there is a need for a greater level of commitment by industry players in the
public and private sectors of the region.
In 1995, the Declaration of Principles of the Association of Caribbean States was approved.
Caribbean leaders, in making specific reference to tourism stated…”Convinced that with its
natural riches, diversity and cultural patrimony, the Caribbean is an attractive tourism
destination comprising a vital sector for the economy of our States, Countries and Territories, we
are committed to UNIFYING EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES to increase the flow of tourism
towards and within the Caribbean,…” 1
This is the basis on which the Caribbean tourism industry must move forward.
1
Co-ordination between regional and international organisations for the establishment of the sustainable
tourism zone. Carlos J. Dávila, Senior Professional, ACS, in Proceedings of the Caribbean Tourism
Organisation 2nd Annual Conference and Trade Show on Sustainable Tourism Development, April 15-19,
1998.
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Map of the Caribbean
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1.
Regional Overview
The Caribbean – for the purpose of this study - is defined to include the 34 CTO
member countries and territories located in or bordering on the Caribbean Sea. (See
Appendix A for a listing of CTO members.) Caribbean countries and territories
vary tremendously in terrain, size, economic prosperity and cultural origins. This
diversity creates a wide and exciting range of vacation experiences, with something to offer the most
discerning of international and intra-regional travelers.
1.1
Population of the Caribbean
The population of the Caribbean is approximately 60.4 million, with the five largest jurisdictions
(Venezuela, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico) accounting for approximately 86%
of the total population. (See Table 1.1.)
Table 1.1
Population estimate, 1997 mid-year
Population Percent of regional
(thousands)
population
Commonwealth OECS Countries
Anguilla
 Antigua & Barbuda
 Dominica
 Grenada
 Montserrat
 St. Kitts and Nevis
 St. Lucia
 St. Vincent & The Grenadines
TOTAL
Other Commonwealth
 The Bahamas
 Barbados
 Belize
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
 Guyana
 Jamaica
 Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
TOTAL
US Territories
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
TOTAL
11
70
76
100
5
43
151
111
566
0.0%
0.1%
0.1%
0.2%
0.0%
0.1%
0.2%
0.2%
0.9%
Population Percent of regional
(thousands)
population
Dutch Caribbean
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
St. Maarten
Saba
St. Eustatius
89
15
153
38
2
2
299
0.1%
0.0%
0.3%
0.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0.5%
450
391
841
0.7%
0.6%
1.4%
TOTAL
11,066
7,400
7,492
450
60
415
22,396
49,280
18.2%
12.2%
12.3%
0.7%
0.1%
0.7%
37.5%
81.8%
CARICOM
13,843
22.7%
60,360
100.0%
TOTAL
French West Indies
Guadeloupe
Martinique
288
265
230
19
36
775
2,553
1,270
16
5,452
3,806
117
3,923
0.5%
0.4%
0.4%
0.0%
0.1%
1.3%
4.2%
2.1%
0.0%
9.0%
6.3%
0.2%
6.5%
1
1
TOTAL
Other Countries
Cuba
Dominican Republic
 Haiti
Cancun
Cozumel
 Suriname
Venezuela

CARIBBEAN TOTAL
Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
CARICOM members
Sources: CTO Caribbean Tourism Statistical Report 1997, Caribbean Development Bank Annual Report 1998
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Of the ten largest sources of stay-over visitors to the Caribbean in 1997 the Caribbean (60.4mn) itself
ranked third in population, behind the United States (263.8mn) and Germany (81.8mn), and ahead of
the United Kingdom (58.7mn), France (58.3mn), Italy (57.3mn), Spain (39.2mn), Canada (28.4mn),
Holland (15.5mn) and Sweden (8.8mn).
1.2
Demographic influences
Based on demographic projections for Caribbean countries and territories, the population of the
Caribbean region can be expected to increase over both the mid and long term, assuming no
significant changes in immigration and emigration. Projections for population growth vary
considerably across the region but generally average between 0.4% and 1.7% per annum. The two
largest contributors to the forecasted growth are:


fertility rates are expected to remain at or above the replacement rate in many parts of the region;
improved health care and medical research should continue to extend the average life expectancy
of Caribbean residents.
1.2.1 Retired persons
As baby boomers age and improved health care extends average life expectancy, the elderly will
become an increasingly dominant component of the regional population. According to the World
Bank, the proportion of Caribbean populations that exceeds the defined age for retirement is
expected to double over the next 25 years from about 8% to 16% of the population. Although the
age of mandatory retirement varies somewhat across the region, it is generally between 60 and 65
years of age and after 30 to 35 years of employment.
As the number of Caribbean retirees with good health and financial savings increases, seniors could
represent an increasingly important niche market for intra-regional travel.
1.2.2 Family size remains stable or declining
In most parts of the Caribbean fertility rates are currently above the replacement rate of 2.1, although
certain islands are now below the replacement rate (for example, Barbados). Other islands are
expected to fall below the replacement rate over the next 10 (Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago) to 20
years (St. Lucia).
With fewer children per household, available income for travel may increase for both family
vacations and for the children as part of, for example, school or sporting groups.
1.3
Regional groupings
Historically and geographically, the Caribbean can be broken into several distinct groupings of the
Commonwealth OECS, other Commonwealth, the Dutch Caribbean, the French West Indies, the US
Territories and others. (See Table 1.2.)
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Table 1.2
Regional groupings, 1997 mid-year
Commonwealth OECS Countries
Anguilla
 Antigua & Barbuda
 Dominica
 Grenada
 Montserrat
 St. Kitts and Nevis
 St. Lucia
 St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Other Commonwealth
 The Bahamas
 Barbados
 Belize
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
 Guyana
 Jamaica
 Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Territories
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
Population
GDP @ Factor
Cost
GDP per
capita
Population
GDP @ Factor
Cost
GDP per
capita
(thousands)
(US $ millions)
(US$)
(thousands)
(US $ millions)
(US$)
11
70
76
100
5
43
151
111
$71
$489
$206
$259
$35
$222
$488
$240
$6,526
$6,990
$2,715
$2,603
$7,014
$5,213
$3,241
N/A
566
N/A
N/A
288
265
230
19
36
775
2,553
1,270
16
5,452
3,806
117
3,923
$3,939
$1,786
$523
$275
$711
$627
$6,221
$5,424
N/A
N/A
$13,677
$6,739
$2,273
$14,468
$19,791
$808
$2,436
$4,271
N/A
N/A
$48,102
N/A
$12,638
N/A
N/A
N/A
Dutch Caribbean
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
St. Maarten
St. Eustatius
89
15
153
2
38
2
299
N/A
N/A
$1,534
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$12,360
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
450
N/A
$789
N/A
N/A
$2,018
N/A
49,280
$14,572
$14,870
$267
N/A
N/A
$434
$55,849
N/A
$1,317
$2,009
$36
N/A
N/A
$1,045
$2,494
N/A
13,843
N/A
N/A
60,360
N/A
N/A
N/A
French West Indies
Guadeloupe
Martinique
1
Other Countries
Cuba
Dominican Republic
 Haiti
Cancun
Cozumel
 Suriname
Venezuela
 CARICOM
CARIBBEAN TOTAL
391
841
11,066
7,400
7,492
450
60
415
22,396
N/A = Not Available
CARICOM members
1 Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
Source: CTO Caribbean Tourism Statistical Report 1997
Within the Caribbean, regional groupings reflect colonial influences, which in part have determined
language, currency, and political and administrative frameworks. These colonial ties continue to
play an important role in determining trade and travel patterns. However, proximity to major
markets and air-lift are also important in determining intra-regional travel patterns.
Many foreign nationals visit Caribbean destinations that are politically linked to their homeland. As
such, the country of origin often accounts for a large proportion of visitors in those destinations. For
example2 in 1997, 31.5% of US visitors to the Caribbean traveled to US territories and accounted for
81.9% of long-stay visitors to Puerto Rico and 80.0% of long-stay visitors to the US Virgin Islands.
Similarly, 59.6% of French visitors to the Caribbean traveled to the French West Indies and
2
Source for the subsequent information: CTO Caribbean Tourism Statistical Report 1997
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accounted for a large proportion of visitors to Guadeloupe3 (44.8%) and Martinique (78.0%). And
finally, 53.5% of visits to the Caribbean by Dutch nationals were to Aruba and the Netherlands
Antilles and represented a relatively large proportion of visitors to certain islands of the Dutch
Caribbean (Bonaire 25.9% and Curaçao 30.0%).
The mass-market appeal of certain Caribbean destinations, such as the Dominican Republic, Cuba
and Cancun, transcends colonial and economic ties. These destinations receive a notable number of
visitors from many major markets regardless of origin.
The level of economic activity and the distribution of income/wealth are among the many factors that
influence travel by Caribbean residents. Although the level of economic activity is in part reflected
by the GDP per capita, this fails to give a sense of income/wealth distribution, which is an important
factor in determining the propensity for leisure travel.
1.4
Macroeconomic influences
Caribbean countries and territories are loosely integrated through various
regional and international treaty and trade agreements. (See Table 1.3.)
Principal among these agreements are:
 The Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) was established in 1973 to
replace the Caribbean Free Trade Association to provide a framework for regional political and
economic integration.

CARIFORM is an expansion of CARICOM for LOME purposes to include Dominican Republic,
Haiti and Suriname.

The ACP Lome Convention is a non-reciprocal agreement to promote and accelerate the
economic, social and cultural development of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. It is
supported by the European Union and its member states and the African, Caribbean and Pacific
Countries, and provides financial, technical and emergency aid and establishes a preferential
system for trade.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) was established in July 1991,
superseding the West Indies Associated States. The OECS seeks to promote cooperation and
economic integration, harmonization of foreign policy and establishes arrangements for joint
overseas representation among member states.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) was established in 1969 for the purpose of
contributing to the harmonious economic growth and development of the member countries in the
Caribbean and promoting economic cooperation and integration among them.

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) was created in 1992 to establish an area of free trade
for goods, services, and capital. It also provides a vehicle for unified negotiation with other
economic blocks and international organizations.
3
Throughout this report Guadeloupe statistics include Guadeloupe and the neighbouring islands of Les
Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin.
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
The Organization of American States (OAS) dates back to 1889. Its purposes include
strengthening and ensuring the security of the continent; promoting and consolidating
representative democracy; socio-economic objectives such as resolving political and economic
problems.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was established in 1959 to help accelerate
economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Presently, IDB
membership totals 46 nations. In addition to the bank, the IDB group consists of the InterAmerican Investment Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), which was
established in 1993 to accelerate private sector development and help improve the climate for
private investment in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is responsible for delivering
Canada’s official development assistance program. Its main purpose is to support sustainable
development, via partnerships in the public and private sector in Canada and developing countries
in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more equitable and prosperous world.

The CARIBCAN agreement was officially adopted in June 1986 and principally features the
unilateral extension by Canada of preferential duty free access to the Canadian market for almost
all imports from the Commonwealth Caribbean. Its basic objectives are to enhance the
Commonwealth Caribbean’s existing trade and export earnings; improve the trade and economic
development prospects of the region; promote new investment opportunities; and encourage
enhanced economic integration and co-operation within the region.
In addition to these more formal ties, myriad special purpose arrangements between certain countries
and territories suggest an emerging trend to greater co-operation across the Caribbean. Specific
examples of such agreements can be found in many sectors of society including education, tax
treaties and reciprocal health care agreements.
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Table 1.3
Formal economic ties, as at February, 1999
CARICOM
ACS


1
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
3




CARIBCAN














1
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Cuba



Curacao
Dominica

Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guadeloupe
















1




124
2
5
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique


1
1


12
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico) Cozumel
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
OECS

1
Guyana
ACP LOME

1

1




1

1

1
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia






















25
9
1
St. Maarten
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
1

1
No. of members


15
19
14
Hold observer status in CARICOM.
2
Associate members of the ACS.
The Bahamas is a member of the CARICOM community but not the common market
4
Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
5
Haiti has provisional membership in CARICOM pending settlement of terms and conditions of accession.
Source: CARICOM, OECS, ACS.
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Countries and territories of the Caribbean export a wide range of raw and processed materials,
agricultural crops, processed foods and manufactured products to both regional and international
markets. (See Table 1.4) Foreign trade in a variety of goods and services throughout the region
creates the need for extensive travel across the region.
Table 1.4
Primary intra-regional trading partners and exports, 1999
Intra-regional trading partners
Exports
Seafood
Aruba
Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Trinidad
& Tobago
OECS, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad &
Tobago
Netherland Antilles and Venezuela
The Bahamas
Primary extra-regional
Pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, shellfish, salt, cement, rum, food
Barbados
CARICOM
Belize
Mexico and CARICOM
Sugar, apparel electronic components, cement, food, rum, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, plastics and handicrafts
Sugar, Citrus, seafood, bananas, apparel, vegetables and lumber
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
N/A
US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico
Netherland Antilles
Aggregates, bananas, fish and rum
Seafood
Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dutch Antilles, Venezuela
Caribbean
OECS, CARICOM, French West Indies
Sugar, nickel, citrus, shellfish, tobacco, coffee, pharmaceuticals
Mineral fuels, rice, apparel, footwear, gift items
Fruits, food, soaps, craft, cigarettes, tobacco, water, beer, plastics and solar
water heaters
Dominican Republic
Primarily extra-regional
Grenada
Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia
Guadeloupe
Martinique, French Guiana
Apparel, footwear, bauxite, beef, cigars, food, ferronickel, gold, silver, sugar,
dasheen and textiles
Nutmeg, cocoa, bananas, mace, fruit, vegetables, fish, food products apparel,
pains and varnish
Bananas, sugar, boats, food products, flowers, rum, mineral water, electrical
equipment
Guyana
CARICOM, Venezuela
Haiti
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
CARICOM
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun 1
Guadeloupe
Primary extra-regional
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Cozumel 1
(Mexico)
See Cancun
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
CARICOM
Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico
Saba
N/A
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
N/A
CARICOM
CARICOM
St. Maarten
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
N/A
CARICOM, Trinidad & Tobago
Venezuela and Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago
CARICOM, Puerto Rico, and the US
Virgin Islands
N/A
St. Lucia, Barbados, Netherland Antilles
Primary extra-regional
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
1 Exports
Chemicals, food, live animals, misc. mfg. Goods, petroleum products
Petroleum products
Bauxite, alumina, sugar, rice, shrimp, rum, molasses, timber, gold and
apparel
Sporting goods, textiles, apparel, electronic toys, coffee, mangoes, sisal,
essential oils and cocoa
Bauxite, alumina, apparel, sugar, bananas, coffee, citrus, rum and cocoa
Bananas, petroleum products, rum and pineapples
Electric/electronic equipment, crude oil, automobiles and transport
equipment, chemical products, textiles, leather goods, iron, steel, machinery
parts, plastic and rubber products, oil derivatives.
See Cancun
Electronic components, plastic bags, semi-processed rice
Manufactured goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, apparel, food,
electrical/electronic machinery, petroleum products, professional and
scientific instruments.
Sugar, beer, lobster, electrical equipment and margarine
Bananas, apparel, cardboard boxes and coconut products
Apparel, wooden toys, plastic, root crops, flowers and mariculture
Alumina, aluminium, bauxite, rice, bananas, shrimp, wood and wood
products, fish, crude petroleum, oil and vegetables
Petroleum products, chemicals, iron and steel, fertilizers, gas, beverages,
sugar, paper, cereals and Misc. manufactured goods
Lobster, conch, fish and financial services
Petroleum products, watches and parts, chemicals and Jewelry
Petroleum products, aluminum, steel, iron ore, coal, gold, coffee, cocoa,
automotive spare parts and accessories
and trading partners are for Mexico as a whole
N/A = Not Available
Source: 1999 Caribbean/Latin America Profile
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According to the Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean economies have achieved real growth in
output over the past several years while keeping inflation in check. New construction is one of the
fastest growing sectors in the region and is driven primarily by strong demand for residential and
commercial accommodation. New residential and commercial construction has been particularly
high in Barbados, Cayman Islands and St. Lucia, for example, and major hotel projects have begun
in destinations such as the Bahamas, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis. In several of the countries,
the offshore financial services industry has been driving a substantial amount of economic activity,
particularly in Barbados, Bahamas, Antigua, Anguilla, BVI, Turks & Caicos Islands, Cayman
Islands. Several of the other countries such as St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
and Belize are also seeking to expand their offshore business services industries.
However, the region continues to face a number of challenges that continue to dampen forecasters’
expectations for short to mid term growth.
The agricultural sector has been particularly hard pressed with drought
conditions precipitated by El Niño continuing to reduce yields of key crops. The
US led challenge to the World Trade Organization’s ruling on the European
Union’s banana marketing regime continues to have a negative impact on the
primary banana producing economies of the Caribbean.
Additionally, declining oil prices had a negative impact on countries that are
major exporters from the region, most notably Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Note however
that oil prices had been increasing again in recent months.
As in other parts of the world the Caribbean region is vulnerable to weather phenomena. Some
countries in the region lie within the hurricane belt and damage to infrastructure and disruption of
vital economic sectors can occur if directly affected by a hurricane. For example, damage to
infrastructure and tourism facilities was caused in Antigua & Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis by
hurricane Georges. In St. Kitts and Nevis, for example, one quarter of the sugar cane crop was
destroyed. Subsequently, substantial rebuilding has taken place affording the opportunity to upgrade
tourism plant and urban infrastructure.
1.4.1 Currencies and exchange rates
Throughout the Caribbean some 18 different currencies are in use. In most of the English speaking
Caribbean, the US dollar is widely accepted in trade in addition to the local currency. (See Table
1.5.)
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Table 1.5
Currencies, as at June 30, 1999
Currency
Commonwealth OECS Countries
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Dominica
Grenada
Montserrat
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
East Caribbean $
Other Countries
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Cancun
Cozumel
Suriname
Venezuela
Cuba Peso
Dominican Republic Peso
Haiti Gourde
Mexico Peso
Mexico Peso
Suriname Guilder
Venezuela Bolivar
US Territories
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
United States $
United States $
Per $ US
Currency
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
2.53
22.90
13.57
16.28
9.23
9.23
691.27
485.26
1.00
1.00
Per $ US
Other Commonwealth
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Guyana
Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
Bahamas $
Barbados $
Belize $
Bermuda $
United States $
Cayman $
Guyana $
Jamaica $
Trinidad & Tobago $
Unites States $
Dutch Caribbean
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
St. Maarten
Saba
St. Eustatius
Aruba Florin
Netherland Antilles Guilder
Netherland Antilles Guilder
Netherland Antilles Guilder
Netherland Antilles Guilder
Netherland Antilles Guilder
1.61
1.70
1.70
1.70
1.70
1.70
French West Indies
Guadeloupe
Martinique
France Franc
France Franc
6.24
6.24
1.00
1.88
1.93
1.00
1.00
0.79
173.02
34.16
5.41
1.00
Note that Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
Source: www.accu-rate.ca
The relative cost of intra-regional travel depends in part on the comparative strength
of the currencies in the countries of origin and destination. Countries that have
experienced substantial devaluation of the local currency sometimes enjoy a shortterm boost in tourism arrivals, as the destination is viewed as good value for money.
Conversely residents of a country that has suffered substantial devaluation find it
increasingly expensive to visit Caribbean destinations whose currencies are pegged to the US dollar.
1.4.2 Visa requirements
Virtually every Caribbean destination requires photo identification, usually in the form of a passport,
at the port of entry. Many airport entry ports also require proof that the visitor has a valid return
ticket and some confirmation that the visitor has the means to support him/herself during the visit.
Visas are not required for travel between CARICOM member countries and residents of CARICOM
countries do not require a visa to visit Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. (See Table 1.6.) Travel
by OECS residents throughout the OECS requires photo identification only.
Visas are required for intra-regional travel for residents of certain countries and territories. Most
notably all Caribbean nationals need visas to travel to the French West Indies and any US territory
except residents of the British Virgin Islands traveling to the US Virgin Islands.
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Additionally, Caribbean nationals making flight connections through a US airport require a US visa
in order to move without escort through the airport.
Suriname has the most restrictive entry requirements. All visitors must have a three-day travel visa
and for longer periods are required to apply at the immigration office once they arrive in the country.
Although not a visa per say, travelers to certain countries, such as Venezuela and Cuba, are required
to complete a tourist card before they are granted entry. These cards are usually provided through
the travel agent or airline at check in.
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Table 1.6
Visa requirements for Caribbean destinations, 1999
Countries and territories whose citizens require visas
Anguilla
None identified
Antigua & Barbuda
None identified
Aruba
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
The Bahamas
None identified
Barbados
Dominican Republic, Haiti
Belize
All Caribbean except Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and US Virgin Islands
Bonaire
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
British Virgin Islands
None identified
Cayman Islands
None identified
Cuba
All Caribbean except Barbados and St. Lucia
Curacao
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
Dominica
None identified
Dominican Republic
All Caribbean
Grenada
None identified
Guadeloupe
All Caribbean except French West Indies
Guyana
French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Mexico
Haiti
All Caribbean
Jamaica
None identified
All Carribean except French West Indies
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
All Caribbean
(Mexico)
Cozumel
All Caribbean
Montserrat
None identified
Puerto Rico
All Caribbean countries and territories except US Virgin Island
Saba
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
St. Eustatius
None identified
St. Kitts and Nevis
None identified
St. Lucia
None identified
St. Maarten
Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
None identified
Suriname
All Caribbean countries and territories
Trinidad & Tobago
None identified
Turks & Caicos
None identified
US Virgin Islands
All Caribbean countries and territories except Puerto Rico and British Virgin Islands
Venezuela
Guyana, Suriname and French West Indies
Source: Consulates, high commissions and embassies
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1.4.3 Departure taxes and levies
Most Caribbean destinations charge a departure tax for visitors over the age of 12 and several impose
additional levies. Total departure taxes and levies vary from US$3 to US$25 with most destinations
charging in the order of US$10 to US$20 per person. (See Table 1.7.) An example of an additional
charge imposed by some Caribbean destinations is an environmental levy, which varies with the
destination but is usually between US$1 and US$2. Dominica is one such destination. Levies
represent a relatively small proportion of the total exit charge.
Departure taxes and levies are usually quoted in US dollars and can be paid in US dollars or the local
currency. For some destinations the converse applies. In all instances these charges must be paid in
cash and are usually collected by the airline at check in.
A few destinations offer special rates to certain travelers although the applicability of the rate varies
widely. For example Antigua & Barbuda charge a departure tax of US$14 to CARICOM nationals
and US$20 to all other visitors over the age of 16. Saba charges a departure tax of US$2 for visitors
traveling to the Windward Islands and US$10 to all other destinations.
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Table 1.7
Departure taxes and levies, most recent available ($ US)
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
1
Aruba
The Bahamas
Airport
$10.00
$20.00
$20.00
$15.00
1
$12.50
Belize
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
$15.00
$10.00
$10.00
$12.50
$20.00
$12.50
$13.50
$10.00
$18.52
Guadeloupe 2
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico)
Cozumel
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
$0.00
$14.00
$25.00
$21.25
$0.00
$12.00
$12.00
$0.00
$0.00
$10.00
$10.00
$11.50
$10.00
$11.30
$11.11
Suriname 1
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
$15.00
$16.13
$15.00
$3.00
Venezuela 3
$25.00
Barbados
1
Airport Special Intra
regional rates
Sea/Ferry
$2.00
$14.00
$15.00
$5.00
$12.50
$5.65
$2.00
$5.00
1 Caribbean Vacation Planner, Volume 5,1999
2 Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
3 Caribbean/Latin America Profile, 1999
Source: Caribbean Gold Book Winter 1998-1999 except where noted.
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Travel Patterns
Of the 1.5 million arrivals generated by Caribbean travel across the region in
1998, the top five Caribbean destinations (i.e., Puerto Rico, Trinidad &
Tobago, Cuba, Venezuela and Barbados) together accounted for 45% of all
intra-regional movements. (See Table 2.1.)
Puerto Rico is by far the most popular Caribbean destination for Caribbean residents with 18.9% of
all intra-regional movements. Puerto Rico’s primary draw is as a Mecca to Caribbean shoppers,
although it also attracts a reasonable number of holiday takers from within the Caribbean. For
Puerto Rico, the Caribbean is an important tourist market, second only to mainland US in the number
of annual arrivals it generates.
Both Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados are major hubs for commercial business and attract many
shoppers because of the number and variety of duty free and retail stores. For Trinidad & Tobago,
intra-regional travel is a very important market as it represents 30.2% of annual visitors.
With greater acceptance of Cuba by the rest of the Caribbean, many areas of social and economic
cooperation drive substantial travel to this destination. Relatively low prices and the mystique that
has developed during the country’s political and social isolation have also made Cuba a popular
holiday choice for many Caribbean residents.
The relative importance of intra-regional travel varies greatly across the Caribbean from as little as
0.1% of annual arrivals in Cancun and Cozumel to as much as 61.3% of annual arrivals in
Montserrat. Other countries and territories that rely on intra-regional travel for a substantial
component of annual arrivals include Dominica (56.0%), Curaçao (39.0%), Guyana (32.9%), St.
Kitts and Nevis (31.5%), St. Vincent and the Grenadines (30.4%) and Trinidad and Tobago (30.2%).
In the aftermath of the eruption of the Langs Soufriere volcano, many skilled and unskilled labourers
and aid workers have traveled to Montserrat as the island begins to rebuild CARICOM regional
meetings and related business is responsible for a significant proportion of annual arrivals to Guyana.
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
C'
be
a
Co n as
un %
try of
To
tal
C'
be
an
C' as a
be %
an o
To f
tal
ibb
ea
Ca
r
To
ta
l
n
Table 2.1
Caribbean arrivals, 1998
Commonwealth OECS Countries
5
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Dominica
Grenada
5
Montserrat
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
5
43.9
234.3
65.5
115.8
6.9
42.4
36.7
18.6
15.7%
18.1%
56.0%
16.1%
0.4%
2.8%
2.4%
1.2%
7.5
93.2
252.2
67.2
4.6
29.3
63.9
20.4
879.6
222.9
61.3%
31.5%
25.4%
30.4%
25.3%
0.3%
1.9%
4.2%
1.3%
14.5%
1,540.0
512.4
36.3
82.6
2.4%
16.1%
2.4%
5.4%
288.1
279.1
404.2
2.3
54.2
44.9
0.8%
19.4%
11.1%
0.2%
3.5%
2.9%
65.8
1,225.3
347.7
105.9
21.6
41.9
104.9
5.5
4,768.5
394.2
32.9%
3.4%
30.2%
5.2%
8.3%
1.4%
2.7%
6.8%
0.4%
25.7%
693.0
61.7
8.9%
4.0%
548.8
1,241.8
57.1
118.8
10.4%
3.7%
19.3%
7.7%
647.4
61.7
198.6
37.4
9.4
77.5
5.8%
15.2%
39.0%
2.4%
0.6%
5.0%
10.6
8.6
0.7
0.5
458.5
1,385.4
48.1
173.6
6.6%
5.8%
10.5%
12.5%
0.0%
0.0%
3.1%
11.3%
3,081.0
1,415.8
2,309.1
3.0
136.6
60.6
0.1%
9.6%
2.6%
0.2%
8.9%
3.9%
146.8
16.9
11.5%
1.1%
62.5
768.6
3.7
84.6
7,783.8
302.4
5.9%
11.0%
3.9%
0.2%
5.5%
19.7%
3,461.3
418.2
3,879.5
289.6
33.8
323.3
8.4%
8.1%
8.3%
18.9%
2.2%
21.1%
19,938.6
1,535.2
7.7%
100.0%
Other Commonwealth
The Bahamas
Barbados
2,5
5
Belize
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
7
Guyana
Jamaica
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
French West Indies
3,5
Guadeloupe
Martinique
3
Dutch Caribbean
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
5
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
5, e
Other Countries
Cancun and Cozumel
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Haiti
5
5
Suriname
5, e
Venezuela
1
US Territories
e
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
5,6
TOTAL
1
2
Preliminary data for 1998
Includes "Rest of World"
4
Includes Arrivals from French Departments & Territories
Includes Central America
5
6
Figures may not include arrivals from Venezuela
Hotel registrations only
7
e
May also include visitors arriving by other ports than the airport
CTO estimate
Note that Guadeloupe includes Les Saintes, Desirade, Marie Galante, St. Barthelemy and St. Martin
Source: CTO, Caribbean Tourism Statistical Report 1997 and CTO statistical database
3
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Growth in intra-regional travel
Overall, intra-regional travel has increased by 35% during the five-year period 1994 to 1998.
However, while some destinations have increased their intra-regional arrivals, others have declined.
(See Table 2.2.)
Venezuela in general and the island of Margarita in particular continue to welcome Caribbean
shoppers in increasing numbers. Intra-regional arrivals to Venezuela increased from 41.7 thousand
in 1994 to 84.6 thousand in 1998.
Cuba has also enjoyed marked increases in intra-regional arrivals from 1994 to 1998 largely as a
result of greater social and political cooperation with the rest of the region. Intra-regional arrivals to
Cuba increased from 60.0 thousand in 1994 to 136.6 thousand in 1998.
As the Cayman Islands becomes more established as an international business centre, employment
opportunities and commerce have increased intra-regional travel. Intra-regional arrival to the
Cayman Islands increased from 24.6 thousand in 1994 to 44.9 thousand in 1998.
Montserrat has seen a large drop in intra-regional travel from 7.7 thousand in 1994 to 4.6 thousand in
1998, due to the island’s continuing problems with volcanic activity.
St. Maarten also experienced a large drop in intra-regional arrivals from 54.2 thousand in 1994 to
24.2 in 1996. This reduction in arrivals is largely attributed to the impact of Hurricane Luis in 1995
and Hurricanes Bertha and Marilyn in 1996. As shown in the table (table 2.2), intra-regional arrivals
to St. Maarten rebounded in 1997 and 1998, although still not to the 1994 level. These hurricanes
also damaged the British Virgin Islands, Saba, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, the US Virgin Islands and
St. Barthelemy. As with other countries and territories damaged by hurricanes, rebuilding has
allowed for upgrading of urban infrastructure and hotel properties.
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Table 2.2
1994
1995
1996
1997
9.8
10.0
9.5
8.5
6.9
Antigua & Barbuda
39.3
40.1
43.1
42.9
42.4
8%
Aruba
33.1
35.0
35.5
33.1
37.4
13%
35.9
30.2
34.3
39.8
36.3
1%
59.1
67.1
66.0
72.1
82.6
40%
3.2
2.4
1.9
2.0
2.3
-28%
5.5
4.8
5.4
4.7
9.4
71%
British Virgin Islands
51.4
56.5
56.9
53.2
54.2
5%
Cayman Islands
24.6
33.4
37.9
40.1
44.9
83%
Cuba
60.0
55.8
78.1
98.3
136.6
128%
Curacao
46.7
45.7
44.1
47.7
77.5
66%
Dominica
31.5
33.7
34.9
35.8
36.7
17%
Dominican Republic
35.2
38.0
41.2
51.9
60.6
72%
Grenada
18.2
14.6
14.4
16.4
18.6
2%
49.5
57.0
55.6
58.7
61.7
25%
21.9
39.4
31.0
21.6
21.6
-1%
15.0
16.9
17.6
17.1
16.9
13%
28.5
32.9
34.4
38.2
41.9
47%
34.2
49.6
46.1
56.6
57.1
67%
3.8
1.5
4.5
2.9
3.0
-21%
Anguilla
5
The Bahamas
2,5
Barbados
Belize
5
Bonaire
3,5
Guadeloupe
Guyana
Haiti
5
Jamaica
3
Martinique
Cancun and Cozumel
Montserrat
5
5
1998
% Ch
ang
1994 e
to 19
98
Historical changes in Caribbean arrivals, 1994 to 1998
-30%
7.7
6.1
3.8
2.3
4.6
-40%
241.1
293.3
294.7
279.7
289.6
20%
N/A
0.5
0.7
0.9
0.7
N/A
0.9
0.9
1.0
0.9
0.5
-44%
St. Kitts and Nevis
19.7
23.0
25.2
27.5
29.3
49%
St. Lucia
47.9
50.6
59.7
58.6
63.9
33%
St. Maarten
54.2
22.6
24.2
38.8
48.1
-11%
17.9
21.1
18.5
21.3
20.4
14%
2.5
2.6
3.2
3.6
3.7
48%
64.5
70.3
71.3
86.1
104.9
63%
3.6
3.6
4.3
4.5
5.5
52%
28.1
41.7
25.5
57.8
24.0
75.6
32.4
75.6
33.8
84.6
20%
103%
1,136.2
11%
1,242.5
9%
1,298.6
5%
1,373.8
6%
1,538.2
12%
35%
Puerto Rico
Saba
e
5
St. Eustatius
5, e
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
5, e
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
5,6
1
Total
Overall % change per year
5
1
Preliminary data for 1998
2
Includes “Rest f the World”
3
Includes arrivals from French Departments and Territories
4
Includes Central America
6
CTO Estimate
Source: CTO Statistical database
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2.2
Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Seasonal variations
In 1998, approximately 24% of intra-Caribbean travel was during the peak months of July and
August, which coincide with the long summer school holidays and the annual carnival celebrations
in many Caribbean destinations. (See Table 2.3.)
Intra-regional travel patterns do not match the traditional tourism year. Intra-regional leisure
travelers tend to avoid the winter season when destinations are most busy with international tourists
and thus command full rates.
Intra-regional leisure travelers most often travel during the summer, Christmas, Easter and other
public holiday weekends. Generally, the summer allows for longer holidays, which in many
instances are taken extra-regionally. Shorter holidays are often taken at Christmas, Easter and other
public holiday weekends. A high proportion of these holidays may generate intra-regional travel,
which may be tied to a personal event or cultural festival.
Many activities dictate travel within the year and often follow an annual cycle. Examples are sports
tournaments, meetings of regional organisations, the school calendar, and cultural events such as
carnivals and festivals. Shopping, the largest motivator of personal travel, tends to be an annual or
semi-annual activity.
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Table 2.3
Monthly distribution of Caribbean arrivals for selected destinations, 1998 preliminary data
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Antigua & Barbuda
7.6% 6.5% 8.9% 10.6% 8.4% 6.8% 12.6% 10.6% 5.7% 6.5% 7.4% 8.3%
Aruba
5.5% 6.4% 5.7% 8.6% 7.8% 7.9% 16.1%
Barbados
5.8% 5.6% 8.1% 9.7% 9.1% 7.0% 13.8% 12.3% 6.0% 7.9% 7.0% 7.7%
Bonaire
4.8% 3.5% 5.2% 6.6% 10.8% 5.1%
Cayman Islands
8.5% 5.9% 6.1% 9.3% 8.5% 6.7% 13.5% 10.0% 6.8% 7.5% 7.2% 9.9%
Cuba
3.0% 6.2% 6.9% 7.6% 7.7% 7.9% 11.2% 11.3% 6.8% 7.1% 7.9% 16.3%
Curacao
6.4% 7.5% 8.3% 8.4% 7.9% 8.1% 10.8%
Dominica
4.7% 10.8% 5.1% 9.5% 9.2% 6.3% 13.6% 11.5% 4.3% 9.8% 5.0% 10.2%
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guyana
7.5%
8.7% 7.5% 9.4% 7.7% 8.7%
8.9% 11.3% 15.6% 14.0% 6.9%
9.2% 6.3% 8.3% 9.7% 9.1%
10.1% 6.7% 6.4% 6.5% 7.2% 8.9% 13.1% 12.7% 6.5% 5.5% 8.6% 7.8%
5.5% 6.3% 6.8% 9.5% 9.5% 6.6%
9.9% 15.7% 6.5% 6.8% 7.8% 9.0%
10.4% 10.2% 7.7% 15.6% 12.7% 11.8% 13.1% 18.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Jamaica
6.9% 5.8% 6.4% 10.6% 6.9% 7.4% 13.2%
Puerto Rico
5.8% 6.9% 8.1% 10.6% 9.0% 7.6% 10.5% 12.9% 7.0% 6.0% 6.5% 9.1%
Saba
1.8% 4.9% 11.6% 1.8% 10.7% 6.7% 15.2%
6.7% 4.9% 6.7% 20.5% 8.5%
St. Eustatius
7.0% 9.1% 8.3% 6.2% 9.5% 9.1%
9.9%
9.7% 7.6% 6.6% 7.0% 9.9%
St. Kitts and Nevis
6.9% 6.3% 7.0% 10.3% 7.3% 10.8% 13.8%
8.2% 6.4% 6.4% 5.1% 11.4%
St. Lucia
4.9% 5.8% 6.6% 9.0% 11.2% 7.2% 13.1% 16.9% 4.6% 4.6% 7.2% 8.9%
St. Maarten
7.4% 5.6% 6.7% 9.5% 7.8% 6.8% 11.3% 10.6% 6.2% 8.1% 7.6% 12.5%
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
6.4% 6.1% 6.6% 14.4% 8.0% 4.6%
5.3% 13.1% 6.3% 7.8% 7.4% 13.9%
Trinidad & Tobago
6.0% 8.2% 6.3% 9.5% 7.6% 6.4%
9.9% 11.3% 8.1% 7.9% 8.6% 10.2%
Turks & Caicos
5.9% 5.2% 6.1% 5.3% 7.0% 6.0% 12.9% 14.7% 9.5% 9.7% 8.5% 9.1%
Total % share
6.2% 6.6% 7.1% 9.0% 8.8% 7.4% 11.9% 11.6% 6.4% 7.4% 8.0% 9.4%
Source: CTO statistical database
19
9.7% 6.8% 8.1% 7.7% 10.6%
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2.3
Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Originating markets
While it is clear that there are defined circuits of travel between certain countries and territories,
many destinations do not have the mechanisms in place to quantify these patterns.
(See Table 2.4. opposite)
Motivation for travel among Caribbean residents ranges from the desire to find work, movement for
trade and commerce, education, vacation and special events, to visits to friends and relatives.
Additionally, much of the travel among Caribbean countries and territories is attributable to the
number of organisations – regional and international – that require intra-regional travel.
Countries and territories with high intra-regional traffic include, for example:

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Jamaica is an important tourism market for the Cayman
Islands representing 88% of intra-regional arrivals in 1998. Additionally, residents of the
Cayman Islands represent 24% of Caribbean arrivals in Jamaica. At one time Jamaica governed
the Cayman Islands; this has created strong commercial and personal ties between these islands.

Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada. Grenada is an important tourism market for Trinidad &
Tobago representing 12% of intra-regional arrivals in 1998. Additionally, 11,330 residents of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines visited Trinidad & Tobago accounting for 10.7% of intra-regional
arrivals to the country. This movement can partly be attributed to the fact that there is a large
Grenadian ex-patriot population resident in Trinidad & Tobago and as such tremendous VFR
movement occurs.

Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. Barbados residents generated 23,524 visits to Trinidad &
Tobago and Trinidad & Tobago residents generated some 19,785 visits to Barbados in 1998.
This linkage is important to both countries representing 24.0% of the intra-regional market in
Barbados and 22.4% in Trinidad & Tobago.
Tourism statistics also show substantial travel between the French territories and the Creole speaking
islands in the OECS. In 1998, Dominica benefited from 18.4 thousand visits from the French West
Indies and St. Lucia benefited from 26.5 thousand visits also from the French West Indies. These
trips were an important component of intra-regional market in these destinations accounting for
50.2% of Caribbean arrivals in Dominica and 41.5% of Caribbean arrivals in St. Lucia. (See Table
2.5.)
Additionally, residents of the Dutch Caribbean are closely linked and many travel extensively among
the islands of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. In 1998, Aruba received 27.9 thousand arrivals
from the Dutch West Indies while Bonaire received 3.5 thousand arrivals from Aruba. (Arrivals
from Curaçao and St. Maarten are treated as domestic travel.).
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Table 2.5
Caribbean arrivals by regional grouping (in percentages), for selected destinations, 1998
REGIONS
DESTINATION
Other
US
Dutch French West Other
OECS Countries Commonwealth Territories Caribbean
Indies
Countries CARICOM
Antigua & Barbuda
13,013
18,910
2,078
407
3,325
3,404
25,604
0
1,014
4,614
25,990
0
3,032
1,605
15,318
55,040
1,709
2,164
3,242
2,857
50,264
6
96
145
3,540
19
5,363
236
5,114
4,482
9,519
691
1,010
33,110
8,523
27
41,633
216
0
0
1,133
40,275
Cuba
863
12,213
745
0
349
17,427
19,711
Curaçao
523
13,926
1,461
12,075
33
45,152
20,589
5,222
6,648
7,010
1,885
18,488
3,917
8,906
284
1,150
16,389
572
190
23,913
2,259
1,087
15,834
0
0
0
0
5,084
1,098
12,153
4
0
0
38
3,376
2,904
28,173
1,727
1,481
522
3,626
22,461
2,459
19,739
0
0
37,007
1,910
19,801
0
0
0
0
0
29,113
6,762
10,233
5,480
1,356
3,998
399
7,312
12,721
St. Lucia
7,870
23,355
26,539
668
26,917
3,581
15,057
St. Maarten
9,123
1,506
0
13,795
0
15,018
16,255
17,549
66,631
2,579
873
1,759
13,088
60,868
40
2,840
124
10
14
2,444
5,080
0
620
26,187
0
0
102
384
0
58,191
214
0
0
10,283
10,758
92,733
389,634
102,616
68,149
93,274
Aruba
Barbados
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guyana
1
Jamaica
2
Martinique
Puerto Rico
e
St. Kitts and Nevis
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
3
p
TOTAL
1
2
3
e
1997 data
Includes Arrivals from French Departments & Territories
Hotel registrations only
CTO estimate
p
Preliminary data
NB data given here may vary from island data in Table 2.4
Source: Statistical departments and CTO
21
225,823
356,579
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Intra-Regional Travel
Intra-regional travel is primarily segmented visits to friends and relatives
(VFR), business, leisure and other, which might include education,
emigration/visa, and medical. Leisure travel includes travel for social and
cultural events, recreational events such as sports and shopping. Personal
events such as weddings, christening and funerals are included in VFR
travel. (See Table 3.1.)
Table 3.1
Purpose of visit for Caribbean residents - partial list, 1998
VFR
0
Business
0
Leisure &
Day Trip
25097
Other
6917
1,717
7,411
28,890
1424
Curaçao
0
1,794
34,032
39838
Dominica
0
4,967
31,310
176
9,685
6,692
16,121
5969
St. Lucia
0
5,596
47,524
9931
St. Maarten
0
4,787
20,144
0
11,406
31,261
203,193
64,262
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica
TOTAL
1
1997 Data
Source: Statistical Departments
3.1
Use of annual vacation entitlement and public holidays
Annual vacation entitlements and public holidays vary across the Caribbean.
In most Commonwealth islands, workers are entitled to a minimum of three weeks annual vacation,
which is extended to four weeks annual vacation after five years of service. Additionally,
professional and managerial workers are generally entitled to four weeks or more. Similarly in the
Dominican Republic and Venezuela most workers are entitled to a minimum of three weeks
vacation.
In contrast, in the French West Indies and the Dutch Caribbean many residents are entitled to an
average of six weeks annual vacation, while in the US territories annual vacation entitlement is much
shorter, typically only two or three weeks.
Across the Caribbean a variety of public holidays are celebrated, many of which are tied to long
weekends and create opportunities for travel. Virtually every Caribbean country and territory
observes Good Friday and Christmas, but the number of other public holidays that are given varies
widely. Most countries and territories celebrate from 10 to 13 public holidays, however at the
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extremes, Cuba observes only 7 and Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands celebrate 21. (See Table
3.2.)
Table 3.2
Caribbean Public holidays, 1999 - partial list
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total
1
2
3
1
3
3
13
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
11
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
The Bahamas
2
1
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guadeloupe
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico)
Cozumel
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
1
3
3
1
3
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
Source: 1999 Caribbean/Latin America Profile
23
2
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
2
11
10
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
13
13
10
12
13
10
7
12
12
14
13
13
1
2
2
2
1
3
3
3
1
2
2
2
3
2
2
3
9
12
10
18
13
13
10
21
12
12
10
15
12
12
9
4
2
2
2
12
12
21
1
12
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
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For residents of the Commonwealth islands and the US territories, intra-regional travel generally
coincides with three or four-day weekends that do not erode accumulated annual leave, and is
frequently tied to a special event. While the bulk of annual vacation is taken at one time during the
year, a number of short trips that might require a maximum of two days of leave might also be taken.
Additionally, holiday travel is sometimes tagged on to the end of a business trip based on the
location of the meeting or corporate event.
3.2
Expenditure by intra-regional travellers
In comparison to other originating markets, intra-regional long stay visitors frequently spend more in
the host destination. (See Table 3.3.) In Curaçao, for example, the average Caribbean visitor spends
US$203 per day compared with the overall average of US$146. Similarly in Suriname and Grenada,
spending by Caribbean residents exceeds the overall average daily expenditures by approximately
83% and 104% respectively. One exception is Barbados where, on average Caribbean visitors spent
US$104 compared to an overall average of US$127.
Average Daily Expenditure
(US$)
Table 3.3
Average daily expenditures for select destinations, 1996 - 1997
$300
$250
$200
Caribbean
$150
Overall average
$100
$50
$0
Barbados
(1997)
Curacao
(1996)
Grenada
(winter 1997)
Destination
For Curaçao Caribbean is represented by Jamaica.
Source: CTO market surveys
24
Suriname
(1997)
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Leisure travel
Leisure travel by Caribbean residents accounts for significant movement intra-regionally. In
addition to shopping trips it includes, for example, jazz enthusiasts traveling from festival to festival,
cricket supporters attending test matches and boating enthusiasts participating in marine recreation
events across the Caribbean.
3.3.1 Shopping
Some Caribbean countries are positioned within the Caribbean as
shopping destinations. Among them are Puerto Rico, St. Maarten,
Barbados, Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela, particularly
Margarita.
According to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), the Caribbean is
the second most important market after the United States in hotel
registrations of non-residents in Puerto Rico. The PRTC therefore cites repositioning itself as a
shopping destination and service and product provider for neighboring islands as a major initiative
for growth. In Puerto Rico, the El Canario by the Lagoon and El Canario by the Sea hotels position
themselves as high value, convenient locations for the Caribbean traveler.
In St. Maarten a substantial proportion of its 6.0 thousand Caribbean arrivals in December 1998 is
attributed to shopping. Duty free shopping is available in virtually every Caribbean destination. In
some destinations it is limited to the airport while several others offer extensive duty free shopping.
In St. Maarten, for example, a large free trade zone is set up for duty free shopping.
In Barbados, long-stay visitor surveys indicate that Caribbean residents spend almost twice as much
on retail purchases as visitors from other destinations. In the second quarter of 1998, Caribbean
nationals visiting Barbados spent an average of US$104 per day and $16.20 of that total was spent
on shopping. In contrast, visitors from the UK spent an average of $8.42 per day on shopping and
US visitors spent an average of $10.45 per day.
The national tourism organization in Curaçao indicates that tourists travelling to Curaçao from other
Caribbean islands do so primarily to shop. They estimate that almost 80% of intra-regional visitors
are shoppers and note that this group spends large amounts in the free zone and in the downtown
commercial centre.
3.3.2 Sports
Sporting teams generate large blocks of movement across the Caribbean and
span the gamut of national representative teams involved in major regional
competitions, to school groups to private social clubs and associations on a
weekend tour. Associated with any given sports team will be a large number
of competitors, officials, parents/guardians and team supporters. The number
and proportion of these groups will vary depending upon the specific sport and
event. While representing a highly significant proportion of intra-regional
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travel, the sheer scope of the sporting groups involved makes meaningful figures difficult to
estimate. (See Table 3.4., also www.caribtourism.com)
Most regional tournaments alternate locations each year (thus making it difficult to estimate the
sports travel to a particular territory). Sporting associations estimate that the number of spectators
that travel with the teams may be as high as 50% of the number of competitors in certain sports.
Many different kinds of sports are played in the Caribbean at the club, national and regional levels.
Barbados, for example, has five representative national football teams - the under-15, under-17,
under-19, junior-23 and the senior national team. The growing popularity of football in the region,
fuelled further by Jamaica's participation in the 1998 World Cup Finals, is reflected in the number of
annual tournaments at all age levels held in the region. These include the Easter Junior Tournament
that attracts ten teams, the Masters Festival consisting of a similar number, and the premier regional
senior tournament, the Shell Caribbean Cup. In some countries and territories, clubs also make
significant numbers of trips each year.
Cricket, considered the quintessential sport of Commonwealth Caribbean people,
accounts for quite possibly the greatest intra-regional travel for purely sports related
purposes by spectators, in the English-speaking Caribbean. Team travel for the regional
first-class tournament - the Busta Cup - held during the period January to March, involves
six teams competing across the region. The One-day tournament involves eight teams
divided into two groups, with the final usually being played in Jamaica. Youth
tournaments include the Nortel Under-19 Youth Tournament, held during the summer in
one territory, the Carib Cement Regional Under-15 Cricket Tournament, and the Sir
Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament.
The Caribbean Island Swimming Championships, held annually in a different Caribbean country or
territory, attracts eighteen teams and well over 750 competitors, coaches and supporters. The Aquatic
Centre International held in Barbados attracts 650 persons (intra and extra-regionally) annually, and
the Carifta Games swimming events – rotated annually – attract approximately 350 persons from
across the region including parents who travel with these teams due to the age of the competitors.
Lawn tennis represents an interesting anomaly among regional sports as few senior tournaments are
played in the region, except for the annual Davis Cup and Federation Cup ties. As such, junior
tournaments generate the most interest and the largest share of travel. The Easter tournament in
Martinique is a fixture on the junior’s calendar and usually attracts 150 competitors, while the
summer circuit involves tournaments in Aruba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia
and Trinidad & Tobago, with approximately 200 competitors at each venue. Significant numbers of
Latin American competitors are present at the summer circuit tournaments, but about 80% of the
participants in the Easter tournament are Caribbean nationals.
Volleyball, hockey and netball all generate significant travel both during the regular season and for
Caribbean national championships. Each sport involves between 200 to 300 persons including
competitors, officials and team supporters traveling for Caribbean championships.
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Horse racing, despite major competitions like the Gold Cup (Barbados), the
Trinidad & Tobago Derby, the Red Stripe Super Stakes Day (Jamaica), and the
presence of horses from other countries at these events seems to have fallen in
popularity with respect to intra-regional travel by fans since the mid-1990's. Much
of its current support seems to come from local pundits and extra-regional source
markets, with tour groups arriving from England for the Gold Cup in Barbados,
but none from the Caribbean according to the Barbados Turf Club.
The impact of track and field competitions on intra-regional travel can be seen, for
example in the 23rd annual Central American and Caribbean Track and Field
Championships held in Barbados in June 1999. These games initiated the
movement of approximately 400 persons (primarily competitors and officials)
from 25 countries across the Caribbean including Belize, Mexico and Venezuela.
Travel arrangements for teams, officials and supporters involved negotiation of group rates for
accommodation in Barbados and for air transport on American Airlines, BWIA, LIAT and Air
Jamaica. For teams moving from the northern Caribbean, the western Caribbean and Central
America, travel necessitated “hubbing” through Miami or Jamaica.
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


The Bahamas

Barbados






Belize




Aruba










Cayman Islands








rfi
ng
Te
nn
is
Tr
ack
an
df
Tr
iel
iat
d
ha
lon
W
ind
sur
fin
g


















Dominica


Cuba
Curacao
Su


Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Re
ga
tta
Ru
gb
y
Ru
nn
ing
So
cce
r
Ho
rse
Ra
cin
Po
g
lo
Go
lf
est
ria
n
hin
g
Fis
ng
Eq
u


Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Cy
cli
Ca
r
Bo
dy
bu
ild
ing
Ra
cin
g
Cr
ick
et
Table 3.4
Major sporting events, 1999 – partial list



Dominican Republic

Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guyana































Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico)
Cozumel

Montserrat










Puerto Rico





Saba
St. Eustatius


St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten





St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago











Turks & Caicos


US Virgin Islands
Venezuela


Source: Sporting associations, web sites and promotional materials
28









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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
3.3.3 Social events and cultural festivals
Social events and cultural festivals can have a material impact on intra-regional travel
to a destination.
The Caribbean is rife with social events and cultural festivals and the intrepid and party
loving Caribbean traveler can move from Junkanoo in the Bahamas to Carnival in
Trinidad & Tobago in a series of short holidays that are event oriented. For example,
December 1998 Caribbean arrivals to St. Kitts and Nevis were 11.4% of the annual
total well above November (5.1%). This peak is largely attributed to Carnival that
begins in December and culminates on January 2.
Additionally, music, art and film festivals account for the movement of large numbers of Caribbean
residents annually. Annual jazz festivals are held in Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and
Puerto Rico. Film festivals are held in St. Barthelemy and Martinique. For example, the May 1998
jazz festival in St. Lucia coincided with a sharp spike in Caribbean arrivals, (11.2% of the annual
total compared to 9.0% in April and 7.2% in June).
(See Table 3.5 also www.caribtourism.com)
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Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
The Bahamas
Barbados









Misc
ellan
eous
Thea
tre
Regg
ae
Popu , Latin an
lar M
d
usic
Clas
sical
Mus
ic
Ma r
ine
Culi and
nary
Jazz
& Bl
u es
als
Carn
iv
Cult
ure
Festi & Arts
vals
Histo
rical
Festi
vals
Table 3.5
Social and cultural activities, 1999 – partial list




















Belize
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands




Cuba

Curaçao



Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guadeloupe










St. Barthelemy
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico)
Cozumel

























Montserrat
Puerto Rico



Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia

St. Maarten




St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago



Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands





Venezuela
Source: National tourism organizations, web sites and promotional materials.
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3.3.4 Medical
Certain medical treatments and facilities are only available in some of the more developed CTO
member states. Countries such as Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Venezuela serve as
regional centres for specialized medical care. In many instances one or more family members or
friends accompany the patient to assist in transit and to visit and support them during their treatment
and/or convalescence.
In 1998, for example, some 120 patients from across the Eastern Caribbean received a variety of
medical treatments in Barbados. (See Table 3.6.) Conversely, during 1998, nine Barbados residents
traveled to Trinidad & Tobago for eye treatment and a further 26 residents traveled to Venezuela for
specialized neurological care.
Neur
o
Urol
ogy
Tota
l
logy
atme
nt
c Tre
Card
ia
trics
Radi
other
apy
Med
icine
gery
Gene
ral S
ur
gy
molo
Paed
ia
Total
Opth
a
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
British Virgin Islands
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Montserrat
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Trinidad & Tobago
E.N.T
.
Orth
oped
ic
Table 3.6
Patients treated in Barbados from the Eastern Caribbean Islands, 1998
1
3
0
1
3
0
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
2
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
2
3
1
0
0
2
0
1
2
4
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
1
6
2
3
0
2
14
4
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
6
3
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
2
0
5
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
11
0
4
9
1
12
13
13
0
22
24
22
0
11
1
8
10
12
33
13
12
5
15
120
Source: Barbados Ministry of Health.
3.3.5 Emigration and travel visas
Caribbean residents wishing to visit or emigrate often need to obtain a travel visa or entry permit.
Embassies, commissions and consulates for various countries are located throughout the Caribbean.
Timely completion of such entry documents or specific entry requirements frequently necessitates
travel to a Caribbean destination that hosts the appropriate embassy or commission. (See Table 3.7.)
The United States, for example, requires Caribbean nationals to complete a face-to-face interview to
obtain a student or work visa for any US territory and there are only two places where visas may be
obtained, Barbados and Trinidad. Some Caribbean nationals who meet the stipulated criteria qualify
for a Multiple Indefinite visa for a pre-determined period, which allows entry into the US until
expiration.
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Canada requires travel visas for citizens of Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Suriname. The
Canadian consulate in Trinidad & Tobago is responsible for processing travel visas and work permits
for the Eastern Caribbean.
To travel to Holland, all Caribbean residents require a visa, except those who have a Dutch passport.
These visas are issued through Trinidad.
Table 3.7
Caribbean destinations with visa processing, 1999 – partial list
Country
Barbados
Brunei, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Italy, Mexico,
United Kingdom and United States
Jamaica
Spain
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Taiwan, Thailand
Suriname
India, Japan
Trinidad & Tobago
Canada, France, Germany, Guadeloupe, Holland, Monaco,
Nigeria, and United States
Venezuela
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Japan, Morocco,
Nicaragua, Poland, Portugal
Source: Embassies, consulates and high commissions.
3.3.6 Education
Tertiary education institutions, such as the University of the West Indies and
St. George’s University, account for much travel by Caribbean residents to Trinidad & Tobago,
Grenada, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Barbados. An estimated 2,000 to 2,500 students move
throughout the Caribbean at the beginning and end of the school year and up to 95% of these
students also return home for the Christmas holidays. Peak student travel times are in mid to late
May, late August and mid to late December. Table 3.8 provides a summary of non-resident student
enrollment for three of the four campuses of the University of the West Indies.
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Table 3.8
University of the West Indies intra-regional students registrations, 1999
Cave Hill
Anguilla
Antigua
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Montserrat
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Venezuela
Other
Mona
St. Augustine
Barbados Jamaica
12
4
58
25
26
84
123
10
39
14
2
2
4
48
11
0
5
32
8
23
22
0
7
133
0
2
0
0
16
8
47
40
96
50
53
36
0
6
182
148
6
12
1
0
18
61
Total
759
636
Trinidad
Total
1
1
18
57
142
12
1
0
23
1
31
19
1
245
0
1
3
4
107
40
7
2
2
279
17
101
167
265
61
17
6
82
6
71
64
8
378
2
1
27
91
253
129
13
330
20
3
358
717
2,112
1 Excludes University of Technology, Jamaica
Source: University of the West Indies, Office of Student Affairs & Admissions
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) also generates significant travel by examiners, markers
and students. Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica serve as marking venues for
examinations. With approximately 3,000 persons examining scripts for CXC, 1,500 of those persons
travel to and from these marking venues at the beginning and end of July alone. (See Table 3.9.)
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Table 3.9
Caribbean Examinations Council staff movements, 1999
350
300
250
200
No. staff
150
100
50
na
da
uy
an
Ja a
m
M aic
a
on
tse
rra
St t
.K
itt
s
St
.L
Tr
St uci
.V a
in
id
ad inc
en
&
t
Tu To
b
rk
a
s & go
Ca
ic
o
N
.A s
nt
ill
es
G
re
in
ic
a
om
D
G
I
m
an
BV
Ca
y
A
ng
ui
lla
A
nt
ig
u
Ba a
rb
ad
os
Be
liz
e
0
Country or territory of residence
Destination
Trinidad
Barbados
Guyana
Jamaica
ISLAND OF ORIGIN
Table 3.9a
Caribbean Examinations Council staff movements, 1999
Anguilla
Antigua
Barbados
Belize
BVI
Cayman
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
Montserrat
St. Kitts
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
N. Antilles
TOTAL
Trinidad
4
5
47
4
4
5
9
17
56
62
0
8
27
12
5
2
267
MARKING VENUES
Barbados
Guyana
8
3
33
4
19
10
0
8
0
19
0
16
0
16
5
51
94
7
3
0
20
0
71
7
30
3
171
61
9
0
5
0
564
109
Source for both tables: Caribbean Examinations Council
34
Jamaica
16
12
42
35
3
12
6
5
20
3
12
10
6
77
18
4
281
TOTAL
31
54
108
49
15
36
31
43
127
163
6
40
115
51
309
32
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Business – commerce, meetings and conferences
Intra-regional business accounts for a good deal of travel with Barbados, Jamaica and
Trinidad & Tobago serving as hubs for much of the regional commerce. For example,
most of the major professional services firms and financial institutions are located
strategically across the region, thus necessitating periodic same-day and overnight
travel throughout the region.
Many international agencies bring a variety of social and economic services to the Caribbean. From
a strategically located base in one or more islands, these agencies coordinate their activities across
the region. International agencies precipitate a good deal of travel by their representatives to other
Caribbean destinations. In turn, Caribbean residents who need to visit the agency’s offices to
complete commercial and personal business must travel across the region to do so. (See Table 3.10.)
The CARICOM Secretariat headquartered in Guyana, for example, spends approximately US$850
thousand annually in travel. The Secretariat hosts a variety of conferences and working groups such
as the annual Caribbean Heads of Government Conference, which requires travel of between 20 and
30 delegates from the Secretariat and necessitates travel by delegations of CARICOM member
nations to the host destination.
Small conferences and meetings are often held in a variety of islands, including Antigua, Barbados
and Trinidad & Tobago. Major regional and/or international conferences and meetings are most
often held in Aruba, Cancun, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and the Bahamas because of the availability of
large hotels that offer large, on-site conference facilities. One example of intra-regional travel as it
relates to conferences is the annual Caribbean Tourism Conference, the major tourism conference in
the region. In 1998, 228 delegates from the Caribbean attended CTC 22. Of that number 92
delegates were from host country Jamaica while the remaining 136 delegates were from Caribbean
countries and territories.
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Visiting friends and relatives
As with emigration to the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada,
Caribbean nationals often have family ties and friends resident across the
region. This dispersion of families is historically a result of the movement of
persons because of employment opportunities. An example of this is the
movement earlier this century of Barbadians into the Windward and Leeward
Islands as teachers, police officers and civil servants.
Employment has further contributed to the dispersion of families across the region as Caribbean
nationals assume positions with regional and international organisations. These postings often result
in the relocation of family members, or in some instances nuclear families, and this generates
significant travel across the region. Additionally, the movement of skilled and unskilled labour,
traders in fruit and vegetables and the “suitcase trader” phenomenon has accounted for some
temporary relocation and the development of long-term friendships.
Illegal emigration throughout the region for better economic opportunities also accounts for a small
proportion of what is reported as VFR traffic.
During the last 50 years, and as a result of the establishment of the three principal campuses (Mona,
Cave Hill, St. Augustine) of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad &
Tobago, Caribbean nationals have been able to pursue tertiary education within the region. This
interaction between young men and women from across the Caribbean has contributed to the
resettlement of many people through marriage and the development of long-lasting personal and
professional relationships across the region.
Personal events such as weddings, christenings, funerals and family reunions account for a
significant amount of VFR travel intra-regionally. One travel agent estimates that personal events
accounted for 5% of all leisure travel bookings by the agency.
While qualitative evidence suggests that honeymoons within the region remain quite appealing for
Caribbean residents, statistical data is not available to quantify the importance of this market.
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Competitive Issues Affecting the Caribbean
Tourism is one of the oldest and best examples of a truly global industry. With the
advent of new technologies and increasingly affordable air travel, the global
marketplace continues to shrink. Caribbean countries and territories must compete
for both regional and international visitors with other destinations both within the region and
internationally.
Generally, the Caribbean is perceived in the marketplace as a high-priced destination both in terms
of travel intra-regionally and in terms of travel to the Caribbean from extra-regional markets even
though the product in each destination caters to all market categories – low, mid and high-end.
4.1
Extra-regional travel by Caribbean residents
Although quantitative information on extra-regional travel is not readily available, industry experts
concur that discernible patterns for extra-regional travel exist. Most extra-regional leisure travel
generally occurs during the summer months and during the Christmas holiday season. Generally, the
greater the distance traveled, the longer the length of stay.
Major extra-regional destinations for Caribbean travelers are the United States – New York and
Miami; Canada – Toronto; and the United Kingdom - London. Together, these three countries report
higher arrivals by Caribbean residents than total intra-regional travel.
In 1997, the United States reported an estimated 1.7 million arrivals by Caribbean residents. The
average length of stay in the United States was 11 nights with an average daily expenditure of
US$106.
In 1996 (the last year for which data is available) Caribbean residents generated 86 thousand visits to
Canada and 65 thousand visits to the United Kingdom. The average length of stay in Canada was 16
nights with an average daily expenditure of US$47. The average length of stay in the United
Kingdom was 23 nights with an average daily expenditure of US$52.
It should be noted that numbers for the US, Canada and the UK are likely to be understated based on
the fact that statistics do not capture visits by Caribbean residents/nationals holding citizenship of
any of these countries.
Based on historical links to these cities through emigration in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Caribbean
travelers frequently combine annual vacations to visit friends and relatives with shopping trips to
major shopping destinations, particularly New York and Miami. While visits to other cities in these
three countries account for many Caribbean arrivals per year, New York, Miami and London remain
attractive because of the large number of seat only specials that become available at specific periods
throughout the year.
Miami and New York compete for leisure travel with destinations in the Caribbean primarily
because of the wide range of shopping that is available and secondarily because there is often no
need for hotel accommodation. In Miami, for example, some hotels and malls offer special rates and
arrangements that cater to the Caribbean shopper. Hotels such as the Dadeland Mariott, the Park
Plaza and the Ramada Inn have established a name with Caribbean shoppers as high value,
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convenient locations to stay by offering very attractive room rates and free shuttle service to the
airport and neighbouring malls.
4.2
Main purpose of extra-regional travel
Extra-regional leisure travel tends to focus around visits to friends and relatives and usually utilises
most, if not all, of the annual holiday from work. Shopping is usually a major component of these
trips even though stand-alone shopping trips are often taken periodically during the year. Standalone shopping trips tend to coincide with long weekends.
Much extra regional commercial business travel tends to follow historical colonial ties in some
territories. However, economic ties often dictate a good deal of business travel extra-regionally. For
example, marketing of regional products and services such as tourism, informatics, and banking all
generate substantial extra-regional travel by Caribbean residents.
Like intra-regional travel, personal business travel extra-regionally is undertaken for similar reasons
such as education, medical treatment and sports. Residents of the Commonwealth Caribbean tend to
pursue health and education needs in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States whereas,
residents of French Departments and Dutch territories travel to France and Holland as primary
service centres as a matter of course.
The United States of America is an anomaly. Many Caribbean residents have
familial ties to the United States and because of its reputation for excellence
in education, health and many other areas of activity, many Caribbean
residents actively seek services in mainland USA. The US Department of
Trade and Commerce estimates that 55% of Caribbean arrivals visit friends
and relatives and 53% vacation while in the US.
4.3
Barriers to more and frequent intra-regional travel
Intra-regional travel by Caribbean residents is extensive. However, barriers to more and frequent
holiday travel include:

Relative difficulty of air access;

High cost of air transport and accommodation;

Lack of knowledge or awareness of the diversity of the region.
Intra-regional travel is often hampered by the difficulty of travelling from one destination to another
as compared with the relative ease of travelling extra-regionally. Airlines contend that demand fuels
air-lift, therefore the demand for travel within the Caribbean must also increase to generate a
requisite supply of air-lift. Travel agents also cite a lack of seat capacity to intra-regional
destinations at peak demand periods such as holiday weekends and for major festivals or sporting
events.
Additionally, air routes across the Caribbean tend to follow a north south pattern thus making access
to the western Caribbean from the eastern Caribbean and vice versa a tedious and time consuming
process usually requiring a full day’s travel.
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For the Caribbean traveler, price is an important factor in selecting a holiday destination and its
component parts such as air transport and accommodation.
The cost of air travel between islands is high and compares negatively with the cost of travel extraregionally particularly as specials to major extra-regional markets are quite common throughout the
year making extra-regional destinations more price competitive. Accordingly, the cost of a
Caribbean vacation – air and accommodation - is often measured against the cost of a trip to New
York where there is rarely an accommodation cost. For example, airfare from Barbados to the
Bahamas for a period of five nights is approximately US$600 with flights connecting through
Miami. In contrast, regular non-stop airfare to New York is approximately US$750 with specials
often being offered from approximately US$350 to US$450.
While some hotels offer CARICOM or discounted rates to Caribbean residents, in many instances
these discounts are not competitive when air transport is factored in. While discounts on
accommodation or special CARICOM rates may be offered by some hotels, such rates are frequently
inconsistent with rates charged to guests from extra-regional markets. There is no mass distribution
system, i.e., tour operators or wholesalers, as in the principal extra-regional markets. Rather, the
visitors themselves or the travel agents negotiate rates. This has the potential to cause discord
between client and travel agent if the customer perceives that the travel agent did not negotiate the
best possible rate.
Caribbean residents on holiday often travel as groups – whether family or social. The size of the
group may range from six to thirty people and will generally determine the choice of accommodation
if family or friends are unable to provide accommodation.
Travel agents indicate that families and social or other groups tend to downplay the accommodation
component of the vacation, often opting for the lowest price available and specifying apartment type
accommodation that provides cooking facilities. Couples on the other hand generally opt for midpriced accommodation.
Caribbean residents possess a general base of knowledge about the wider Caribbean that
encompasses socio-political issues, history and geography. However, there seems to be a significant
lack of awareness of the diversity of the region from a tourism perspective. As such, Caribbean
residents, unless interested in a particular destination or involved in the tourism industry and exposed
to the international marketing efforts of sister nations, are often unaware of a neighbouring island’s
tourism product.
Additionally, Caribbean residents often have pre-conceived notions of other destinations that are
based on historical events or past personal or familial experiences that may inhibit travel. Many
Caribbean residents are anxious about visiting an unfamiliar destination where the language or
political structure, for example, differs from their own.
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Travel Trade Structure and Distribution
The structure of the travel and tourism industry in the Caribbean differs somewhat
from that of major extra-regional markets. In the Caribbean, national tourism
organisations, airlines and travel agents form the major components of the travel
distribution network.
While national tourism organisations are responsible for the generic marketing of the tourism
product, airlines and travel agents often drive the business of intra-regional travel through their own
destination packages which usually include air transport and accommodation.
5.1
Trends in tour operating
In international markets, tour operators are major travel industry players. For example, in the UK
market in 1997, the top five players controlled 58% of the foreign packaged holiday market and
jointly accounted for over 15.5 million passengers.4
Tour operating in the Caribbean is by no means synonymous with tour operating in major
international markets. The Caribbean tour operator focuses primarily on the provision of local
representation for foreign tour operators, some ground tour operations inclusive of air and sea port
transfers, island tours and inter-island excursions. Many tour operators have developed a comfortable
niche market by offering intra-island day trips. Most of these packages are developed with the
international visitor in mind and marketed to long-stay visitors as an add-on excursion.
However, some travel agencies function to a small extent as tour operators primarily developing
extra-regional tours which include air, accommodation, airport transfers and sightseeing. Regional
airlines such as BWIA, LIAT, and Air Jamaica function as vertically integrated tour operators.
Using Barbados as an example, local travel agents package extra-regional tours to destinations of
historical and religious interest such as the Holy Land, as well as tours to Orlando during the summer
school holidays. Additionally, special packages are arranged across the Caribbean for music and
cultural festivals and for international cricket tournaments such as the recent World Cup Cricket in
the United Kingdom.
5.2
Trends in intra-regional tours
Caribbean travel agencies offer a range of tour packages for local residents; however the vast
majority are for international travel. Several agencies have developed successful intra-regional tour
packages around specific events and holidays.
Some regional airlines, such as BWIA and LIAT, market vacation packages that are geared to
Caribbean residents. Generally these packages make use of scheduled flights and include return air
travel, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, use of hotel facilities, hotel taxes and service charges.
Some examples are provided in Table 5.1; these examples are not exhaustive and their inclusion is
not meant to be a promotion for or endorsement by the CTO or KPMG of these packages over other
packages that may be available.
4
CTO United Kingdom Tourist Market, 1998
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Table 5.1
Average Cost of selected 7 day holiday packages for two, (US$) Summer 1999
LIAT
Antigua, Royal Antiguan Beach Resort
Dominica, Fort Young Hotel
Guyana, Pegasus Resort
St. Maarten, Oyster Bay Beach Resort
St. Kitts & Nevis, Bird Rock Hotel
St. Lucia
$1,371
$1,079
$1,082
$1,473
$902
Trinidad &
Tobago
$1,527
$1,330
$1,271
$1,578
$1,064
Grenada St. Lucia
$1,228
$1,153
$755
$669
$683
$683
$1,279
$1,279
$748
$738
Trinidad &
Tobago
$1,228
$760
$683
$1,279
$770
Grenada
$1,497
$1,297
$1,224
$1,518
$1,019
BWIA
Antigua, Royal Antiguan Beach Resort
Dominica, Fort Young Hotel
Guyana, Pegasus Resort
St. Maarten, Oyster Bay Beach Resort
St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Beach Resort
Source: BWIA Vacations, LIAT Dream Holidays 1999 Vacation Packages
Intra-regional tours often focus on sports and sporting teams moving across the Caribbean from one
meet to another. However, in some instances, regional tours that focus on leisure travel are
organised to coincide with major cultural events and/or long weekends. These tours rely on charter
aircraft and are usually planned with a view to ensuring that each leg of the route is fully subscribed.
Most travel agents - which in these instances function as tour operators - shy away from the risk
associated with putting a package together. Accordingly, special event tours are a largely underdeveloped market when one considers the cultural and historical diversity of the Caribbean.
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Travel agency profiles – examples across the region
Although the vast majority of travel agencies operate only from one country or territory,
several agencies have developed multi-jurisdictional networks through acquisitions and/or
strategic alliances. Such alliances improve the agencies’ penetration across the region and
improve support and services to their clients when they visit these destinations. Some
examples of these are given below. These examples are not exhaustive and their inclusion is not
meant to be a promotion for or endorsement by the CTO or KPMG of these travel agencies over the
other travel agencies operating in the region.
5.3.1 Barbados
Barbados International Travel Services Ltd.(BITS), established in 1972 operates from offices in four
locations in Barbados and five locations in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. BITS is the largest
travel service provider in the Eastern Caribbean. Representing American Express in Barbados,
Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, BITS is a member of the Travel Agents Association of
Barbados (TAAB), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the CTO Barbados Chapter and
the Woodside Travel Trust.
BITS is perhaps the most vertically integrated of all travel companies in Barbados with affiliate
companies providing car rentals, tour operator representation, island tours, accommodation and air
transport.
Gem Travel Ltd., and Gem Tours Inc., operating in Barbados since 1972 holds membership in
IATA, ASTA, the CTO and TAAB. Gem provides the full range of travel related services including
ground tour operations to an established corporate and general clientele. Its services include the
issuance of travellers cheques – VISA or American Express – in United States, Canadian or Sterling
currencies through license by the Central Bank of Barbados.
Gem also offers a range of packaged tours intra-regionally from Cuba to Trinidad as well as extraregional tours to popular destinations in North America. Additionally, Gem packages special tours
for festivals and sporting events such as the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and international cricket matches
intra and extra-regionally.
5.3.2 Jamaica
Martins Travel Service (Martins), in operation since 1954, is one of the major travel agencies in
Jamaica. Operating from two locations in Kingston, Martins offers a wide range of services to
special interest groups.
5.3.3 Grenada
Astral Travel (Astral) was established in 1984 in New York by Grenadians resident there. With one
office in Grenada and two in New York, Astral is a fully automated retail travel services company.
Astral has created a network of strategic alliances with other agencies across the region to provide its
clients with support and services in those destinations.
Astral is an IATA approved member of the Travel Agents Association of Grenada, the Caribbean
Association of Travel Agents and the Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
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5.3.4 St. Kitts and Nevis
Kantours is a destination management services company and travel agency doing business in both St.
Kitts and Nevis. Its main areas of operation are ground handling, local tours and shore excursions,
group packages, and weddings. Kantours is also the American Express travel service representative.
Kantours is a member of the St. Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association, the Caribbean Hotel
Association, and the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
5.3.5 Guyana
Roraima International Travel Agency (RITA), established in 1993 is owner-managed by Captains
Gerry and Debra Gouveia – the owners of Roraima Airways and Roraima Tours. RITA is a 24-hour
IATA agency providing a total package of travel and aviation support services to a corporate
clientele.
RITA is a member of the Caribbean Association of Travel Agents.
5.4
Transportation within the Caribbean
All Caribbean destinations are accessible by air with many boasting sea port
facilities that accommodate large cruise ships. Many destinations also provide
marina facilities for the boating enthusiasts who sail the waters of the Caribbean
Sea.
Regionally owned airlines provide both scheduled and charter services within the region and to
major international destinations. Virtually every Caribbean country and territory is served by at least
a nominal schedule of intra-regional flights. (See Table 5.2., opposite).
Some islands are hubs for intra-regional air transport. Puerto Rico and Jamaica facilitate travel to the
smaller islands of the northern Caribbean, while Barbados facilitates reasonably easy travel amongst
the OECS, the French West Indies and the southern Caribbean. Barbados is also an in-transit point
for residents from the southern Caribbean travelling to the northern Caribbean and major
international destinations such as London, Miami, New York, and Toronto. Antigua, headquarters of
LIAT, is also a hub for travel to the Leeward Islands especially Montserrat.
Puerto Rico receives the most direct intra-regional flights per week with approximately 452
scheduled flights arriving from Caribbean destinations. Of this total, 88 flights are from the
Dominican Republic, 70 are from the US Virgin Islands, 46 are from the British Virgin Islands and
35 are from St. Kitts and Nevis.
Second only to Puerto Rico in intra-regional airlift is St. Maarten with approximately 344 scheduled
flights arriving from elsewhere in the Caribbean. Of this total, 102 flights are from Guadeloupe, 62
are from St. Kitts and Nevis and 34 are from Puerto Rico.
In contrast, Belize, Bonaire, Suriname and Turks & Caicos receive very few direct flights per week
from elsewhere in the Caribbean. Turks & Caicos is usually accessed through Miami. Most arrivals
into Belize and Suriname are through Maimi and major South and Central American cities.
Depending on the day of travel, Bonaire is most often reached from the south through Trinidad &
Tobago or Caracas and then through Curaçao or from the north via San Juan and Aruba.
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Approximately twenty airlines provide scheduled air service throughout the Caribbean. Several of
the larger airlines, such as American Eagle, BWIA and Air Jamaica, provide extensive coverage to
the larger destinations using regional hubs. In contrast many of the smaller airlines restrict their
service to a few islands which are relatively close to each other. (See Table 5.3.) Additionally many
small companies offer charter service only.
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Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Aruba
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guyana
Haiti
Jamaica
Martinique
(Mexico)
Cancun
(Mexico)
Cozumel
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
TOTAL









W
ina
ir
TO
TA
L
ys

TI
A
sE
xp
re s
Su
s
rin
am
eA
irw
SV
G
a
























































































































Ne
vi
AA
Ea
gle
Ai
rC
aly
pso
Ai
rC
ari
bb
ean
Ai
rG
ua
de
lou
Ai
pe
rJ
am
aic
a
Ai
rM
art
ini
qu
Ai
e
rM
ust
iqu
Ai
e
rS
t. B
art
s
AL
M
An
till
ean
BW
Ai
IA
rli
ne
s
BW
IA
Ex
pr
ess
Gu
ya
na
Ai
rli
He
ne
len
s
Ai
r
Isl
an
dA
ir
LI
AT
Table 5.3
Airlines offering service, 1998 – partial list















3
15
12







23
4
4
8
10
5
2
9
9
11
2
3
5
5
15
1
6
5
6
2
3
9
0
2
4
3
1
3
7
4
9
7
7
4
6
7
0
0
0
8
1
1
8
12
11
6
1
10
2
2
1
152
Source: Caribbean Vacation Planner – Where to Go
Airline Ground Handling Companies, Airlines
Air transport across the Caribbean encompasses the full range of aircraft from the Concorde, which
provides scheduled air service to Barbados, to the Cessna 402 operated by St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Air (SVG Air). Aircraft vary in size and capacity based on the needs of the routes being
serviced. (See Table 5.4.)
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Table 5.4
Aircraft, and capacity, 1999 – partial list
Aircraft
AA Eagle
Air Calypso
Number
ATR 42
Super ATR 72
Shorts 360
DeHavilland Dash 8 100
N/A
N/A
3
1
Air Caraibes
Dornier
Air Caribbean
Boeing 737
YS11
Dornier
Boeing 737
ATR 42
AB310
MD83
AB321
AB340
AB320
Dornier
ATR 42
Britten-Norman Islanders
Aero-Commanders
Embraer bandeirante
Cessna Caravan
Fleet
Capacity
Capacity
46
64
36
38
N/A
N/A
108
38
3
18
54
3
4
14
1
13
4
2
2
1
6
3
5
2
2
1
1
120
58
19
130
46
218
147
189
300
150
18
35
9
6
18
9
360
232
266
130
598
872
294
378
300
900
54
175
18
12
18
9
DeHavilland Dash 6 Twin Otter
1
18
18
Dornier
1
19
19
Airlines of Carriacou
Britten-Norman Islanders
3
9
27
ALM Antillean Airlines
BWIA
MD82
DeHavilland Dash 8 300
Lockheed L10 11 Tristar 500
MD83
DeHavilland Dash 8 300
3
4
4
5
2
139
50
237
138
50
417
200
948
690
100
BWIA Express
DeHavilland Dash 8 300
2
50
100
Eagle Air
Britten-Norman Islander
2
9
18
Guyana Airlines
Airbus
1
278
278
Helen Air
Beech craft 1900
2
19
38
DeHavilland Dash 6 Twin Otter
2
19
38
DeHavilland Dash 6 Twin Otter
1
18
18
Britten-Norman Islander
Chieftan Navajo
DeHavilland D-100, Twin Otter
DeHavilland Dash 8 300
1
1
9
3
9
9
37
50
9
9
333
150
Nevis Express
Britten-Norman Islanders
3
9
27
Seabourne Aviation
DeHavilland Dash 6 Twin Otter
2
15
30
Suriname Airways
MD87
1
125
125
SVG
Cessna 402B
Britten-Norman Islander
Aero-Commander
Britten-Norman Islander
Embraer bandeirante
Britten-Norman Islander
Piper Aztec 23
1
1
3
3
1
2
1
67
7
5
9
16
9
5
67
7
15
27
16
18
5
Air Guadeloupe
Air Jamaica
Air Martinique
Air Mustique
Air St. Barts
Island Air
LIAT
TIA
Turks and Caicos Islands
Source: Airlines
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Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Ideas for Proactive Marketing
The intra-regional travel market is identified by most national tourism
organisations in the Caribbean as an important market segment. It has the
potential to improve hotel occupancies and boost tourism receipts in the off
season and traditional trough periods when international visitation is low.
To proactively develop intra-regional travel requires the involvement and
commitment of all industry stakeholders. In each destination, public and private sector
partners in tourism (including national tourism organizations, travel agents, airlines and
hotels) must coordinate their efforts and work strategically to garner maximum benefit.
Selective marketing within existing groupings to high potential source markets can be cost effective
and lucrative. A key challenge is to convince Caribbean travel agents and ground tour operators to
see themselves as “tour operators” packaging and selling the region rather than merely as booking
agents for residents and ground handlers for international visitors.
In turn, national tourism organisations (NTO’s) need to focus their efforts on understanding and
supporting this market more effectively. Better statistical information on country of origin,
expenditure patterns, purpose of visit and accommodation preferences will help quantify the scope
and viability of the regional market. Additionally, targeted educational and marketing programmes
must be developed and should involve industry partners to capitalise on this largely under-developed
market. NTO’s should therefore take advantage of every opportunity to promote their destinations.
Hoteliers must also improve their approach to servicing the intra-regional traveler if they are to
maximise the benefits from this market. Too often, hoteliers pay lip service to the intra-regional
market by offering nominal discounts on accommodation only, when the astute individual could
often negotiate a better rate. Additionally, travel agent commissions are not as frequently offered on
intra-regional travel as they are to wholesalers and tour operators outside of the Caribbean thus
providing little incentive for travel agents to promote the market and further develop intra-regional
travel. The accommodation sector as a whole must take a more proactive stance in developing this
market. As such, hoteliers must employ more creativity in packaging, pricing and promoting their
product to Caribbean residents as hotel rooms are perishable commodities.
Creative packaging that includes accommodation and a full range of add-on services including food
and beverage might ensure more use of hotels by intra-regional travelers. Too often, full rates on
food and beverage and other services can outweigh any savings that might be had on
accommodation.
Airlines operating across the region must also take a more proactive approach to marketing to the
intra-regional traveler. As with hotel rooms, airline seats are perishable and the intra-regional
traveler can utilise excess seat capacity. Airline companies must make use of informal distribution
channels and market directly to the travelers who fill their seats – social and cultural groups, sporting
associations, regional organisations, educational institutions, etc., in addition to continuing in their
current role as tour operators.
6.1
Role of national tourism organisations
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National tourism organisations or tourist boards have a key role to play in the development of the
intra-regional travel market. In collaboration with industry partners, national tourism organisations
must first assess the potential of the market and target their plans to reflect that assessment. This
assessment must go beyond whether or not the destination traditionally attracts intra-regional
travelers and assess the costs and benefits of further developing the intra-regional market.
A number of marketing initiatives – much the same as those targeted to extra-regional source
markets - should be developed. These include:

Develop information about high-potential source markets (e.g., public holiday schedule (See
Appendix H), cultural idiosyncrasies, special interest groups and commonalties to the
destination).

Allocate marketing funds to the regional market in proportion to market share;

Collect visitor statistics including market demographics, expenditure patterns, purpose of visit,
length of stay etc.;

Conduct education and familiarization tours for travel agents from potential source destinations;

Package tours to take to the market;

Collaborate with other destinations to package multi-destination tours;

Offer incentives to encourage the development of events that appeal to the regional traveler, such
as sports, festivals and music and cultural events;

Develop discount programmes for Caribbean residents that encompasses air transport,
accommodation, shopping, etc.
6.2
Role of travel agent
The industry needs to acknowledge the importance of the travel agent to its success. For example,
incentive programmes are typically geared to the international travel trade. National tourism
organizations should consider implementing the same types of programmes, and commissions to
regional travel agents. Proactive marketing to travel agents should be developed to increase the
agents’ knowledge of the specific destination and its products.
Travel agents can play a lead role in developing the intra-regional market. By working more closely
with national tourism organizations, trade associations and service providers, travel agents can help
design and promote products that appeal to the intra-regional traveler. The travel agents’ knowledge
of the customer and their ability to negotiate favourable rates and terms with the industry can play a
key role in encouraging intra-regional travel.
Travel agents should actively seek opportunities to package the region to Caribbean residents. This
entails coordinating all elements of the travel experience and may in some instances force the
vertical integration of services. Strategic alliances can therefore help travel agents minimise the cost
and spread the financial risk associated with packaged holidays.
Travel agents bring in-depth knowledge of the tourism product and the intra-regional traveler. By
identifying specific events or destinations of interest to a specific audience, they can build a package
that encourages greater intra-regional travel because:

the cost is minimized,
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

6.3
Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
all elements are included (for example air, accommodation, event tickets and ground
transportation etc.),
it is conducive to large group travel,
it matches consumer needs with the product.
Role of CTO chapters
CTO encourages its chapters to develop more awareness of destination products in
the region with a view to increasing intra-regional travel. Principally they are
expected to conduct agent education programmes to teach Caribbean travel agents
about the region’s tourism product. Secondarily, Caribbean chapters are also
charged with promoting the region and informing members about current travel
trends.
Based on the diverse composition of the CTO chapters across the region their role should be
broadened to:

Develop and consistently offer special rates and group packages for off peak flights and unused
seats for Caribbean residents.

Develop systems to use excess capacity on regional flights. For example, a last minute booking
system to use unfilled capacity.

Develop inter-hotel frequent user incentive programmes - for example, within the Intimate Hotel
group or the Gems of the Caribbean.

Develop special packages with add-ons for special occasions such as weddings, honeymoons,
and anniversaries.

Provide language support.

Coordinate familiarisation trips for Caribbean based travel agents.
6.4
Selective targeting
By its very nature the intra-regional market is fragmented and diverse in terms of culture, language,
economic wealth and social development. Additionally, the natural and social groupings of the
Caribbean create strong affinities between certain islands. The availability, convenience and cost of
travel between various source and destination markets within the Caribbean further contribute to the
appeal of travel between specific islands.
An effective intra-regional marketing plan must identify and select those source markets that are
most attractive to the host destination. For example, Curaçao has identified the Dominican Republic,
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba and Puerto Rico as its key intra-regional markets, and targets its
marketing efforts accordingly. It is unlikely that a broad-based marketing programme will have the
same impact as a selective campaign that targets regional markets that best fit the host destination.
6.5
Attention to product
Attention to the product, including the environment, and quality control covering all aspects of the
holiday experience, is a pre-requisite to effective selling in the market place.
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The environment is the major component of the tourism product and forms the unique nature of a
destination. The term environment refers to social, cultural and built attributes as well as a
destination’s biophysical and natural assets. Therefore, the environment and the tourism industry
share a symbiotic relationship.
Management systems must be established to ensure the integrity of the environment as tourism, like
other industries, can significantly and negatively impact the environment.
This focus on product includes aspects within Governments’ direct control such as customs,
immigration, airport management, security, health and social infrastructure, as well as those services
supplied by the private sector such as accommodation, ground transportation and activities. Hotels,
other guest accommodation and ancillary services should meet the minimum standards of national or
other regulatory bodies with a view to ensuring the sustainability of the tourism industry.
6.6
Marketing distribution channels
Marketing is defined as the management process responsible for identifying,
anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably. Marketing in the
tourism industry is in many ways no different from marketing in any other industry
with the exception that travel and tourism is truly a global industry. Therefore, the
basic principles of marketing apply to all industries and as such entail getting the
product or service from the supplier to the consumer. As in other industries, the
marketing concept that places the consumer at the centre of all marketing activity must also apply in
the tourism industry.
Marketing in travel and tourism is shaped and determined by the demand for tourism and the
operating characteristics of supplying industries. The forms of promotion and distribution used for
travel and tourism products have their own particular characteristics, which distinguish their use in
comparison with other industries. These characteristics form the common ground on which travel
and tourism is based.5 In the tourism industry, the distribution channels or intermediaries employed
include travel trade professionals, such as travel agents, airlines and national tourism organisations.
Although many Caribbean destinations indicate that the scope for developing intra-regional travel to
their destination is medium to high, most put little effort or resources into developing this market.
Based on the available data, it appears that less than 1% of most destinations’ total marketing
budgets are allocated to the regional market.
Much of the marketing effort is very soft; employing public relations and trade shows as marketing
tools rather than hard destination marketing such as media advertising with supporting promotional
programmes.
Only a few Caribbean destinations market to the rest of the region with a handful of islands
dedicating personnel to the Caribbean as a target market. These islands include Barbados, Curaçao,
Dominica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada and Jamaica where the practice
varies from the assignment of a dedicated marketing officer to the assignment of staff as needed.
However, the sales and marketing function is usually integrated into one position. Operating from
5
Victor T.C. Middleton, Marketing in Travel and Tourism, 2d ed., (Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd.,
1994), p. 34
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the national tourism organisation, this individual is often required to develop package tours with air,
accommodation, ground transportation and event tickets to take to the market.
Additionally, much of the marketing effort is targeted to the travel distribution network while other
marketing techniques directed to the consumer are employed. Marketing to the travel trade includes:







Familiarisation trips for travel agents and press – educational in nature comprising destination
tours, and site visits to the accommodation and ancillary sectors;
Destination seminars- usually an interactive educational component of the familiarisation trip
utilising audio visual presentations, collateral material, etc.;
Road shows – usually organised by the national tourism organisation, there are promotional tours
of hoteliers, ancillary service providers, etc., which go from location to location in various
source markets. Presentations are usually made during breakfast, lunch or cocktails to showcase
a destination’s product offerings;
Promotions – these include workshops, tour operator and CTO Chapter promotions;
Trade shows- organised by a group of wholesalers, tour operators, or airlines in a source market
who invite national tourism organisations, hoteliers and ancillary service providers to participate
in a booth type environment. Travel agents are also invited so that destination representatives
can distribute collateral material and establish relationships
Strategic alliances with airlines, travel agents and tour operators;
Representation in key markets;
Marketing directly to the potential traveler encompasses:







6.7
Consumer days at trade shows;
Internet web sites;
Media advertising – print and electronic;
In-flight advertising;
Soft selling techniques such as press releases and travel articles;
Competitions with free trips as prizes;
Give-away items such as pens, posters, key chains, etc.
Fairs and exhibitions
While a number of trade shows specific to the Caribbean already exist, to develop the intra-regional
target market, a special trade fair to be held annually should be developed. This exposition would
help build knowledge, develop strategic alliances and focus attention on each destination’s potential
source markets within the Caribbean itself.
By moving the host location around the region, the economic benefits are shared and the host
destination can showcase its unique features to a captive audience with high potential yields.
The fair should include travel agents, national tourism organisations, airlines, hotels and ancillary
service providers. The fair should not only be promotional in its focus but should also encourage
contracting and development of innovative packages. (See Table 6.1.)
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Table 6.1
Intra-regional trade shows, 1999
Apmet
BWIA Caribbean Connections Workshop
Air Jamaica Trade Shows
American Airlines The Americas TrAAvel Exposition
Viajes yTurismo (Avavit)
Location
Time of Year
Puerto Rico
Jamaica
March
March
Jamaica/St. Lucia
Miami
Varies
Varies
Venezuela
November
Source: Barbados Tourism Authority
6.8
Media relations
National tourism organisations as a rule employ the services of advertising agencies and public
relations companies. Many of them also employ an in-house public relations officer as well. It is
imperative that a media relations strategy be devised and executed either by the specialist agency or
employee to develop and/or maintain:

Contact with leading trade and consumer publications, representatives of the electronic media
and special interest publications;

Newsletters disseminating information to partners in the industry and the source markets;

Regular press releases containing newsworthy information – issue or event related;

Regular schedule or familiarisation trips for regional media;

Clipping files as examples of all coverage of the destination – negative and positive and as a
method of monitoring the placement and effect of press releases.
6.9
Travel trade advertising
Travel trade advertising targeted at travel agents with a client base that fits a destination’s niche
market can contribute to the growth of a destination’s intra-regional traffic. Advertising in trade
publications supports a national tourism organisation’s education programme through increased
awareness. Additionally, it reinforces the travel trade’s knowledge of a destination’s product. And,
like consumer advertising it can also be tied to special events and targeted at niche markets.
While there are no Caribbean based travel trade publications, national tourism organisations can
utilise national and regional newspapers and special interest magazines for advertising special
packages. They can also advertise to the trade directly through faxes, newsletters and through soft
selling at travel association meetings and public relations activities targeted to the travel trade.
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6.10
Sales missions
Sales missions to high potential source markets can yield a strong network of “destination” travel
agencies and tour operators. By offering incentives, as is often done in extra-regional source
markets, national tourism organisations can motivate travel agents and tour operators to sell a
destination.
Sales missions should be planned so that they do not conflict with, but complement other tourism
industry expositions. The five trade shows mentioned earlier can be used to generate intra-regional
travel. As such, sales missions should be planned around them and can perhaps follow closely
behind each one.
6.11
Special interest tours
The Caribbean is an attractive destination for travelers world-wide. Caribbean
residents share many of the same interests as persons resident outside of the
region. It is crucial that the same effort to develop special interest activities for
extra-regional source markets be made for the intra-regional market.
Therefore, the same components that comprise a destination’s product offerings
must be targeted to the intra-regional traveler. Special interest tours in the areas
of:

heritage tourism - encompassing aspects of the Caribbean’s rich cultural and maritime history;

eco-tourism – showcasing wonders of the region’s built and natural environment and
demonstrating the fragility and importance of the environment;

adventure tourism – land and water based;

sports tourism; and events.
Much of the effort to develop special interest activities must be jointly undertaken by the national
tourism organisation and the regional travel agent community. Special interest tours targeted at the
consumer have the potential to develop themed, multi-destination holidays to the benefit of the
destinations involved.
6.12
Use of technology
Technology in the travel and tourism industry is today a necessary and important marketing tool.
Whether for the development of databases or web sites, it is imperative that tourism industry players
make full use of the range of information technology that is available to bolster their marketing
efforts. As of July 1999, the Yahoo search engine on the internet identified some 1,495 sites for the
Caribbean and 575 of these are specific to Caribbean travel. A mix of national tourism
organisations, the accommodation and activities sector, and private individuals usually maintains
these sites.
Internet web sites are wonderful sources of information that allow the prospective customer to garner
information on a destination and view product offerings. These sites are fast becoming the first point
of contact for many potential visitors and should be linked to all relevant sites about the destination.
Information should be constantly updated, clear and concise.
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These sites should also allow for on-line bookings for travel, accommodation and related services.
On-line bookings are fast becoming a preferred method internationally and will no doubt provide a
strategic challenge for traditional travel agents in the future.
Databases containing statistical and demographic information support marketing efforts. These
databases should be continuously updated and rationalised to reflect the changes and demands of the
market and should help form the basis of market planning.
6.13
Consumer advertising and promotion
Direct marketing to the consumer in association with industry partners can be
effective. However, consumer advertising cannot be broad-based. Instead, it should
focus on specific niches and can make a significant contribution to developing intraregional traffic to a destination.
Consumer advertising as part of a national tourism organisation’s advertising
campaign can also be built around specific events and can be supported by sponsors such as airlines
or consumer products tied to an event. This type of advertising can highlight particular aspects of a
destination’s product offerings.
Only a few Caribbean destinations promote and/or advertise their tourism products to the rest of the
region. Of those that have a Caribbean marketing plan, specific product promotions and print and
electronic media are the most frequently used tools. These include:

image advertising in regional newspapers and on television through the Caribbean Broadcasting
Union;

radio ads promoting festivals and/or cultural events;

in-store promotional displays; and posters for travel agency display and as promotional items.
Additionally, products and services must be tailored to the needs of the intra-regional market.
Marketing planners must first ensure that they understand these needs, and then tailor the marketing
programme to address them. For example, intra-regional travelers often shop while on vacation. In
promoting a destination that features good shopping facilities, marketing planners should highlight
the strengths of their shopping facilities, such as variety, convenience and relative cost of goods and
services. Price, product, and promotion remain the essential planks of successful marketing
campaigns.
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Caribbean Tourism Organization
Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
Sales literature
Brochures and other printed information or collateral material, remain key to disseminating
information about a product. A family of literature focusing on each element of the vacation
experience should be developed in order to satisfy the needs of the various niches within a market.
For example, literature on weddings and honeymoons, shopping, and things to do might complement
existing sales literature if these are niches that appeal to the intra-regional traveler. However, a
comprehensive family of literature is best targeted to the travel trade rather than the individual
consumer.
Collateral material should be presented in an attractive and professional manner and should reflect
the product or particular service accurately and honestly. The same respect for the legal
requirements of the United Kingdom and Europe - with regard to truth in advertising as it relates to
tourism - should be accorded the intra-regional traveler.
6.15
In-flight advertising
In-flight advertising is an excellent opportunity to showcase a destination to a captive audience
which is generally pre-disposed to travel for business or leisure and often has disposable income to
facilitate vacation travel.
Use of in-flight magazines and video presentations can help entice the intra-regional traveler to visit
a new destination. In-flight magazines provide opportunities for generic advertising, branded
campaigns and advertorials that allow for expansive commentary on the destination.
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Intra-Regional Travel Market Study
The Way Forward
“The West Indian is not exactly hostile to change, but he is not much inclined to believe in it. This
comes from a piece of wisdom that his climate of eternal summer teaches him. It is that, under the
parade of human effort and noise, today is like yesterday, and tomorrow will be like today; that
existence is a wheel of recurring patterns from which no one escapes…” Herman Wouk – Don’t Stop
the Carnival (1965)
7.1
The challenge – to develop awareness
There is no motivation for Caribbean residents to want to move around the region for leisure if
ignorance of the region generally, and individual destinations particularly, prevails.
In order to spur Caribbean residents to traverse the region for the purposes of business and leisure
they must be inundated with a continuous diet of relevant information. The Caribbean tourism
industry must therefore be an active participant in creating the necessary vehicle to generate this
interest in intra-regional tourism and commerce as was implemented in 1993 when the Caribbean
initiated a joint marketing campaign targeting its extra-regional source markets, to encourage intraregional travel. Such a vehicle can counteract the flow of billions of dollars out of the region as
more and more Caribbean residents travel to extra-regional destinations.
To move from inaction to action to further develop the intra-regional travel market as a means of
exposing the region to the region thus maximising the benefits to be derived from an underdeveloped and potentially lucrative source market is not an insurmountable challenge. As such the
development of intra-regional travel to balance the downward trend of many extra-regional source
markets is an achievable objective.
While the challenge of airlift has been cited as a barrier to intra-regional travel, too few
Caribbean countries and territories market to the rest of the region. Demand drives
supply and while many countries and territories host residents of the Caribbean for
conferences and meetings, they neglect to target the region specifically for the purpose
of leisure travel. People in St. Lucia need to be aware of the Bahamas as a tourism
destination and vice versa. Potential travelers in Curaçao must be made aware of
Jamaica as a possible vacation choice. And Barbadians need to know that they can go
to St. Kitts and Nevis for the annual music festival.
Significant intra-regional travel is tied to events – cultural and sporting - yet there is no
information source that provides a consolidated calendar of events taking place in the
region. From the Bahamas in the north to the ABC’s in the south and Belize in the
west, festivals, carnivals and attractions abound. Unless the intrepid Caribbean resident
is determined to explore the region, there is no way of knowing by country or territory
what event is taking place and when. Neither do they know that Guyana boasts the
world’s longest single drop waterfall - Kaieteur Falls; nor that Belize offers the Barrier
Reef Reserve System, the second largest in the world and the first natural heritage site
in the English speaking Caribbean to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or
that Trinidad & Tobago is home to the Asa Wright Bird Sanctuary.
Caribbean residents need to be made aware that what was learnt in geography classes in schools
across the region about the countries and territories of the Caribbean are the same attributes that
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make the region attractive as a tourism destination. For example physical land forms such as
mountains, beaches, flora fauna, and culture are the attractions that the Caribbean boasts.
7.2
The challenge – to collect and share data
Information is the basis for decision making; there is therefore a need to
capture and standardise data that can be used to inform decision makers at
national tourism organisations. Research/data informs the marketing process,
yet data collection and the sharing of the data collected remains problematic.
Tourism officials can no longer rely on intuition and anecdotal experience to
make decisions but must instead avail themselves of the quantitative data that
information technology can make available.
Tourism data is classified in three areas – performance, market intelligence and inventory. However,
not all statistical data that is available is comparable as each country and territory has its own system
of data collection. While some countries use the immigration card as the basis of the data collection
process, others like the French territories, the USVI and Puerto Rico rely on surveys to estimate data.
Additionally, the responsibility for the collection of data rests with different agencies in the countries
and territories of the region. In some countries it is the responsibility of the Statistical department
while in others it is the Immigration department or the Ministry or Board of Tourism.
The priority and personnel resources committed to data collection, analysis and sharing are often
inadequate. Research requires a commitment of staff resources that is often overlooked. This can be
blamed on ignorance about the importance of research/data to the decision making process as well as
on the limited resources some countries may have in terms of staff resources and technological
capabilities.
According to the CTO many research departments are under-staffed and lack the necessary systems
capabilities and dedicated research personnel to generate the requisite data for informed decision
making. During the 1980’s the CTO developed a system for the collection and processing of
immigration cards for tourism purposes. This system is today in need of upgrading in light of new
technological advances.
As such, the CTO is currently developing a new system as part of a
comprehensive MIS project that is not focused on the immigration card alone, but on all data that
relates to tourism.
Another challenge highlighted by the CTO is the fact that immigration cards or other data collection
instruments are generally provided in English and/or the official language of the country. This
hinders data collection from intra and extra-regional visitors whose native language is not
considered.
Cumbersome data collection processes and the numerous requests for information by government
agencies seemingly contribute to the reluctance to share information. Hoteliers and ancillary service
providers note that the time spent providing information to different agencies detracts from their
ability to run their businesses. They must weigh the time spent compiling data against the benefits
to be derived by the industry as a whole and understand the value that is ultimately derived when
data is provided. Government agencies must rationalise their data collection processes and
collaborate on the information required from the industry in order to facilitate and encourage the
sharing and collection of information. This rationalisation of data requirements might reduce the
time spent by hoteliers and others in the industry and help reduce their aversion to providing
information.
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The opportunity
Tourism impacts all sectors of the economies of the Caribbean. According to the
1996/1997 World Travel and Tourism Council report, travel and tourism is expected to
produce 26.6% of regional GDP and generate 461 thousand more jobs by 2006.
Key to the further development of the intra-regional travel market is the
acknowledgement by individual destinations in the region that the Caribbean is a viable
and lucrative source market. Additionally, Caribbean residents themselves must see the
region as equally attractive as a holiday destination alongside all other extra-regional destinations.
The initiatives to drive the change process must be championed by the CTO and NTO’s as the
organisations charged with increasing the value and volume of tourism flows into the region. The
CTO must implement a number of measures as a matter of urgency to help fulfill this mandate as it
relates to intra-regional travel. These measures must address the issues of information/awareness,
data collection and sharing and marketing – the same issues that are relevant to extra-regional source
markets.
7.3.1 CTO Caribbean Chapters
The CTO must employ the same fervour to develop the CTO Caribbean Chapters as it did to develop
chapters in extra-regional source markets. These chapters have the potential to drive business to the
region from the region and can assist in the development and execution of familiarisation trips for
travel agents within their own countries and territories. To date, five CTO Caribbean Chapters exist
and membership in each chapter differs. In Barbados for instance, membership ranges from travel
agents to hotels, airline companies, destination management companies, to professional service
firms. Almost every service provider to the tourism industry is represented.
Additionally, the Agency Coalition for Caribbean Tourism (ACCT) training programme should be
adapted and made available to all CTO Caribbean Chapters and by extension, all regional travel
agents as a matter of course. This programme’s goal is to stimulate Caribbean sales by retail travel
agents and is currently in operation in North America and the UK. ACCT facilitates educational
programmes including onsite seminars and correspondence courses so that travel agents become
Caribbean specialists. This programme can be easily adapted for regional travel agents.
CTO should also develop a database of all travel agents and tour operators in the region and through
national tourism organisations, provide them with the information necessary to sell the Caribbean.
All Caribbean travel agents should be provided with collateral information essential to market the
countries and territories of the region, for example, the CHA Gold Book, the Caribbean Vacation
Planner and any other relevant material that is available.
7.3.2 Awareness
The CTO needs to establish the link between geography that is taught in schools across the region
and tourism as a means of building awareness of the region by Caribbean residents. Television is a
powerful medium and in the absence of a regional television station, the CTO should seek to fully
explore all avenues for television exposure of the region to Caribbean residents.
One vehicle that can be utilised is Caribscope, produced by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union.
While the value of this programme as an excellent opportunity for the CTO and national tourism
organisations is seemingly not understood, Caribscope provides a weekly opportunity for countries
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and territories to showcase their tourism product. Not only does the programme focus on human
interest pieces, it highlights in expanded form the issues of the day and showcases tourist attractions
once a story is there. Caribscope is currently running a series called Hotels of the Caribbean that
will continue to air weekly once sponsorship is available. Caribscope also highlights the cultural
events and festivals of the region to which most tourism type advertising is tied.
It is also crucial that CTO member states seek to encourage local television stations to develop
programmes that showcase their countries and the countries and territories of the region on a regular
basis as part of their indigenous programming.
7.3.3 Calendar of Festivals and Cultural Events
Significant intra-regional travel is linked to the many festivals and cultural
events across the region. (See Appendix I). Yet, no calendar of these events
across the region exists. As such, the CTO should seek to develop a calendar
of all cultural events and festivals held in the region.
The general public could use this calendar to plan its trips around the region
while travel agents could use it to develop packaged tours that coincide with
specific events. And, national tourism organisations could use the calendar as
a component of their marketing plans while cultural bodies and event promoters could use the
calendar to plan and develop new events and make revisions to those that are not tied to religious
festivals.
The Organisation of American States proposed Caribbean Tourism Attractions and Events Support
Project is scheduled to begin in January 2000. This study will provide CTO with a wonderful
opportunity to develop a calendar of festivals and cultural events and collaboration with the OAS on
this study should be pursued.
7.3.4 Initiatives
Additionally, a number of initiatives at the level of the region and the destination need to be
implemented and must encompass:

A demonstrated commitment to sustainable tourism development operated in harmony with the
environment, local communities and cultures;

A commitment to expanding the flow of information between destinations and an increased
awareness of the Caribbean as a product;

The dedication of marketing resources – human and financial;

The development of market research – demographic and psychographic on the Caribbean
traveler;

The development and packaging of tours in response to market demand with special pricing discounted airfares and accommodation – for Caribbean residents;

The transition of regional travel agents and ancillary service providers to vertically integrated
tour operators;

Sustained marketing programmes;
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
Access to and availability of air transport – and the further development of natural hubs;

A commitment to co-operation with regard to the compilation and sharing of data;

Implementation of the United Nations, World Tourism Organisation recommendations on
tourism statistics;

The development of a MIS system for tourism that highlights key tourism statistics and
indicators that is not focused on the immigration card, but on all data as it relates to tourism.
7.3.5 Marketing Strategies
National tourism organisations in countries and territories that market to the intra-regional traveler
have suggested the following approaches for developing the market.

Sell the uniqueness of each island;

Create special offers combining air and accommodation;

Encourage Caribbean residents to discover the region;

Encourage Caribbean residents to holiday at home;

Offer double air miles during trough periods;

Develop packages for holiday weekends;

Develop a “Caribbean nation” concept through the interaction of all Caribbean
residents through school, university, interest groups;

Develop programmes for Caribbean residents that can fill hotel rooms during the offseas on and traditional trough periods;

Market the region as one destination and accelerate the opening of new air routes
among the islands;

Declare the Caribbean a sustainable tourism zone;

Market the diversity of the region year round focusing on culture, sports, etc;

Implement an intra-Caribbean trade show for the regional travel industry;

Develop a co-op advertising campaign on intra-regional travel;

Develop fam trips for travel agents and tour operators;

Encourage airlines to offer more attractive fares to encourage more intra-regional
travel, current fares are too high;

Develop multi-centre tours to neighbouring islands especially during the off-season and for
special events;

Offer economical packages as joint efforts of airlines, hotels and tour operators;

Establish affordable, reliable and efficient air-lift;

Develop tourism products for the Caribbean market.
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Conclusion
The intra-regional travel market is an important and viable one. Many countries
and territories in the Caribbean recognise this and actively pursue the further
development of this market. However, for this market to grow and for the
countries and territories of the region to realise its significant potential, there is a
need for a greater level of commitment by industry players in the public and
private sectors of the region.
The beauty, diversity, quality of life, friendly and hospitable people and political stability of the
region contribute to the allure of the Caribbean as a brand internationally. These attributes must
form the basis of a regional awareness campaign. Such a campaign is of paramount importance and
must assume the same level of priority as an extra-regional campaign if Caribbean residents are to be
convinced that a holiday in a neighbouring country or territory is as attractive as a holiday extraregionally. And, the options available to them – the same options presented in extra-regional source
markets must be highlighted to assist potential Caribbean travelers when making decisions about
holiday travel.
Additionally, better and more complete quantitative data would assist national tourism organisations
in making decisions and a clearer picture – demographic and psychographic, providing a profile of
all visitors would assist in fine-tuning the targeted marketing process. Further, a genuine
commitment to greater co-operation in terms of tracking and sharing data would tremendously assist
collective efforts to further develop this market.
In 1995, the Declaration of Principles of the Association of Caribbean States was approved.
Caribbean leaders, in making specific reference to tourism stated…“Convinced that with its natural
riches, diversity and cultural patrimony, the Caribbean is an attractive tourism destination
comprising a vital sector for the economy of our States, Countries and Territories, we are committed
to UNIFYING EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES to increase the flow of tourism towards and within the
Caribbean,…” 6 In order to grow the intra-regional travel market, this is the basis on which the
Caribbean must move forward.
6
Co-ordination between regional and international organisations for the establishment of the sustainable
tourism zone. Carlos J. Dávila, Senion Professional, ACS, in Proceedings of the Caribbean Tourism
Organisation 2nd Annual Conference and Trade Show on Sustainable Tourism Development, April 15-19,
1998.
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Glossary
ABC’s
Colloquial identification for the islands – Aruba, Bonaire,
Curaçao.
Business travel
Travel for commercial gain or to participate in missions or
conferences or activities supported by the visitor’s
business or profession such as study leave.
Caribbean
The 33 countries of the Caribbean.
Fam Trip
Familiarisation trips usually taken by travel agents, tour
operators, press etc., and organised by NTO’s, airlines and
international tour operators.
Intra-Caribbean Travel
Market
The market for visitors to a Caribbean jurisdiction by
residents of other parts of the Caribbean.
Leisure
Travel for recreation, holiday, shopping, sporting and
cultural events, non-professional activity.
Long-stay visitors
Visitors staying at least 24 hours in the country visited.
NTO’s
National tourism organisations.
Same-day visitor
Visitors staying less than 24 hours in the country visited.
Special interest travel
Event oriented travel whether cultural, sporting, medical
or business.
Trade shows
Organised by NTO’s, wholesalers, tour operators, airlines
or other tourism professions in source markets.
Destinations and suppliers pay for booths and invite travel
agents and the press to attend so they can distribute
literature and otherwise educate about destinations and
their products.
VFR travel
Travel to visit family and/or friends – social visits usually
undertaken for relaxation, attending to personal events
such as weddings, christenings, funerals or to take care of
invalids.
Visitor
Any person visiting a country or territory other than that in
which they normally reside, for not more than one year,
and whose purpose of visit can be classified as leisure or
business.
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Appendices
Appendix A
CTO Members
Anguilla
Aruba
Antigua & Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bonaire
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curaçao
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Grenada
Guadeloupe (inc. St. Martin & St. Barthelemy)
Guyana
Haiti
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Jamaica
Martinique
Mexico
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saba
St. Barthelemy
St. Eustatius
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Maarten
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Suriname
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos Islands
US Virgin Islands
Venezuela
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Appendix B
Ministries of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism & Environment
New Administration Building
Queen Elizabeth Highway & Independence Ave.
St. John’s
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Tel: 268 462-0651/0787
Fax: 268 462-2836
Ministry of Tourism
The Secretariat
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-2518
Fax: 264 497-3389
Ministry of Tourism
P. O. Box N3701
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 322-7500
Fax: 242363-2006
Ministry of Economic Affairs & Tourism Island
Government of Aruba, L.G. Smith Blvd.
No. 172
Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel: 011 297-8-39079
Fax: 011297-8-39693
Ministry of Tourism & The Environment
Belmopan
Belize City, CA
BELIZE
Tel: 011 501-823393
Fax: 011 501-822854
Ministry of Tourism
Sherbourne Conference Centre
Two Mile Hill
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 436-4830
Fax: 246 436-4828
Ministry of Tourism
Administration Building
Road Town
Tortola
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284 494-3701
Fax: 284 494-6413
Office of the Commissioner of Tourism
Bestuurskanteeor
BONAIRE
TEL: 011 599-75330
FAX: 011 599-78416
Ministry of Tourism
Calle 19 No. 170 – between Pases and Vedado
Ciudad de la Habana
Habana
CUBA
Tel: 011 537-33-4318
Fax: 011 537-33-4086
Ministry of Tourism, Aviation and Commerce
4th Floor, Government Administration Building
George Town
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-7900
Fax: 345 945-1746
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Appendix B
Ministries of Tourism Cont’d
Ministry of Tourism, Ports & Employment
Government Headquarters
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767-448-2401
Fax: 767-448-6200
Ministry of Tourism (Besturrs College)
Gedeputeerde
Van Het Eilandgelbied, Concordistraat
No. 24 Willemstad
CURAÇAO
Tel: 011-5999-4618008
Fax: 011-5999-4618010
Secretaria de Estado de Turismo
Avenida Mexico
Santo Domingo
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Tel: 809 686-4659
Fax: 809 682-3806
Ministry of Tourism & Social Development
The Careenage
St. Georges
GRENADA
Tel: 473 440-3377
Fax: 473 440-0443
Office du Tourisme Departmental
5, Square de a Banque
971110 Pointe-a-Pitre
GUADELOUPE
Tel: 011 590-820930
Fax: 011 590-838922
Ministry of Trade, Tourism & Industry
229 South Road
Lacytown, Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-254310
Fax: 011 592-254310
Secretary of State for Tourism
8, Rue Legitime
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Tel: 011 509-235631
Fax: 011 509-235359
Ministry of Tourism
Office of the Prime Minister
PCJ Building, 36 Trafalgar Road
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 929-8890
Fax: 876 920-4944
Agence Regional de Development
Touristique de la martinique
Anse Gouraud
87233
Schoelcher
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 5966-16177
Fax: 011 5966-12272
C. Secretario de Tourism de Mexico
Presidente Masaryk
No. 172-8vo Piso
Col. Chapultepe Morales
C. P. 11587
MEXICO
Tel: 011 525-250-8206
Fax: 011 525-250-4406
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Appendix B
Ministries of Tourism Cont’d
Ministry of Tourism
Government Headquarters
Plymouth
MONTSERRAT
Tel: 664 491-2444
Fax: 664 491-2367
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Tourism Building
2 Paseo La Princesa
San Juan
PUERTO RICO 00901
Tel: 787 721-2400
Fax: 787 725-4417
Ministry of Tourism
Government Headquarters
Basseterre
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Tel: 869 465-2521
Fax: 869 465-8794
Ministry of Tourism
Charlestown
NEVIS
Tel: 869 469-1042
Fax: 869 469-1066
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation
3rd Floor National Insurance Building
The Waterfront
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 451-6643
Fax: 758 451-7414
Office of the Commissioner of Tourism
Tourism and Administration Building
The Bottom
SABA
Tel: 011 5999-4-2239
Fax: 011 599-4-63274
Office of the Commissioner of Tourism
The Mission
Oranjestad
ST. EUSTATIUS
Tel: 011 599-382213
Fax: 011 599-382324
Office Munucipal du Tourisme
Quai du General de-Gaulle
Rue August Nyman Gaulle
97133 Ile de Saint
ST. BARTHELEMY
Tel: 011 590-278727
Fax: 011 590-277447
Ministry of Tourism
Prins Hendrikstraat 26-28
Paramaribo
SURINAME
Tel: 011 597-420422
Fax: 011 597-420425
Ministry of Tourism
Kingstown
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784 456-1721
Fax: 784 456-2610
Office of the Commissioner of Tourism
Government Administration Building
Clem Labega Square
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 5995-3116
Fax: 011 5995-24292
Office de Tourisme
Port de Marigot 97150
ST. MARTIN
Tel: 011 590-875721
Fax: 011 590-875643
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Appendix B
Ministries of Tourism Cont’d
Ministry of Finance & Tourism
Eric Williams Financial Complex
St. Vincent Street
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 627-9700
Fax: 868 627-8488
Ministry of Tourism, Communication and
Transportation
Government Headquarters
Grand Turk
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Tel: 649 946-2321
Fax: 649 946-1120
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Appendix C
Statistical Departments
Ministry of Finance
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel:
264-497-5693 / 264-497-2547
Fax: 264-497-3761
Department of Tourism
P.O. Box 363
St. John's
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268-462-0480
Fax: 268-462-2483
Aruba Tourism Authority
L.G. Smith Boulevard
172 Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel:
297-823-777 Ext. 266
Central Bureau of Statistics
L.G. Smith Boulevard 160
Sun Plaza Bldg.
Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel:
297-837-433
Fax: 297-838-057
Ministry of Tourism
Statistics Department
Nassau
BAHAMAS
Tel:
242-322-7500
Fax: 242-322-4041
Ministry of Tourism
Sherbourne Centre
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel:
246-430-7513
Fax: 246-436-4828
Barbados Statistical Service
National Insurance Building
Bridgetown
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel:
246-427-7396
Fax: 246-435-2195
Belize Tourist Board
83 North Front Street
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel:
011-501-27-7313
Fax: 011-501-27-7490
Bonaire Government Tourist Bureau
Kralendijk
BONAIRE
Tel:
011-599-7-8322
Fax: 011-599-7-8404
Development Planning Unit
Administration Building
Road Town
Tortola
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel:
284-494-3701
Fax: 284-494-3947
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Appendix C
Statistical Departments Cont’d
Ministerio De Turismo
Calle 19
Municipio Plaza De Le Revolucion
Havana
CUBA
Tel:
537-23-4053 / 537-33-4087
Fax:
537-33-0546
Transport and Communications
Central Bureau of Statistics
Fort Amsterdam
CURAÇAO
Tel:
599-961-1696
National Development Corporation
Valley Road
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel:
767-448-2045
Fax: 767-448-5840
Caribbean Aviation & Tourism News
Grenada Board of Tourism
P.O. Box 293
St George's
GRENADA
Tel:
473-440-3377 / 473-440-2001
Fax: 473-440-6637
Bureau of Statistics
Avenue of the Republic and Brickdam
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel:
011-592-2-62036
Jamaica Tourist Board
St. Lucia Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA
Tel:
876-929-9200
Fax: 876-929-9375
Department Of Statistics
Anse Gouraud
97233 Schoelcher
MARTINIQUE
Tel:
011-596-61-61-77
Fax: 011-596-61-22-72
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Statistics Office
P.O. Box 902-3960
PUERTO RICO
Tel:
787-721-2911
Fax: 787-724-3941
St. Eustatius Tourism Development
Foundation
Orangestraat
ST. EUSTATIUS
Tel:
011-599-3-82213
Fax: 011-599-3-82433
Ministry Of Tourism
P.O. Box 132
Pelican Mall
Basseterre
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Tel:
869-465-4040
Fax: 869-465-8794
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Appendix C
Statistical Departments Cont’d
St. Lucia Government Stats. Department
Block A
NIS Building
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel:
758-452-3716 / 758-452-6653
Fax: 758-451-8254
St. Maarten Tourist Bureau
Philipsburg
97233 Schoeler
ST. MAARTEN
Tel:
011-599-5-22337
Fax: 011-599-5-22734
Central Statistical Office
35 -41 Queen Street
Port Of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel:
868-623-4322
Fax: 868-625-3803
TIDCO
10 -14 Phillips Street
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD
Tel:
868-623-6022
Fax: 868-623-3848
Dept. Of Ecconomic Development & Agriculture
Bureau Of Economic Research
P.O.Box 6400
St. Thomas
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel:
340-714-1700 Ext. 241
Fax: 340-774-8106
Tourist Board
Grand Turks
TURKS & CAICOS
Tel:
649-946-2321
Fax: 649-946-2723
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Appendix D
National Tourism Organisations
Department of Tourism
Long & James Streets
St. John’s
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
Tel: 268-462-0480
Fax: 268-462-2836
Anguilla Department of Tourism
The Secretariat
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264-497-2759
Fax: 264-497-2751
Department of Tourism
P.O. Box N3701
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242-322-7500
Fax: 242-328-0945
Aruba Tourism Authority
L.G. Smith Boulevard 172
Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel: 011-297-823777
Fax: 011-297-834702
Belize Tourist Board
83 North Front Street
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel: 011-501-277213
Fax: 011-501-277490
Barbados Tourism Authority
Harbour Road
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246-427-2623
Fax: 246-426-4080
British Virgin Islands Tourist Board
Road Town
Tortola
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284-494-3134
Fax: 284-494-3866
Tourism Corporation of Bonaire
Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar 12
Kralendijk
BONAIRE
Tel: 011-5997-8322
Fax: 011-5997-8408
Cuba Instituto Nacional de Turismo
Ciudad de la Habana
Habana
CUBA
Tel: 011-537-333755
Fax: 011-537-333780
Department of Tourism
The Pavillion at Cricket Square
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345-949-0623
Fax: 345-949-4053
Department of Tourism
Curaçao Tourist Development Bureau
Pietermaai 19
Willemstad
CURAÇAO
Tel: 011-5999-4616000
Fax: 011-5999-4651739
National Development Corporation
Valley Road
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767-448-2351
Fax: 767-448-5840
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Appendix D
National Tourism Organisations Cont’d
Ministry of Tourism
Avenida Mexico, Santo Domingo
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Tel: 809-686-4659
Fax: 809-682-3806
Grenada Board of Tourism
Burns Point
St. George’s
GRENADA
Tel: 473-440-2279
Fax: 473-440-6637
Conseil Regionale de la Guadeloupe
Rue Paul Lacave – Petit Paris
97109 Basse Terre Cedex
GUADELOUPE
Tel: 011-590-804040
Fax: 011-590-813419
Ministry of Trade, Tourism & Industry
229 South Road
Lacytown, Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011-592-252280
Fax: 011-592-254310
Secretary of State for Tourism
8, Rue Legitime
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Tel: 011-509-235631
Fax: 011-509-238896
Jamaica Tourist Board
2 St. Lucia Avenue
Kingston 5
JAMAICA
Tel: 876-929-9200
Fax: 876-929-9375
Martinique Tourist Bureau
Office Departmental du Tourisme de la
Martinique
B.P. 520-97206, Fort de France Cedex
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011-596-637960
Fax: 011-596-736693
Secretaria de Turismo
Mariano Escobedo 726
Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo
C.P. 11590
MEXICO, D.F.
Tel: 011-525-250-8555
Fax: 011-525-250-5207
Montserrat Tourism Board
Plymouth
MONTSERRAT
Tel: 664-491-2230
Fax: 664-491-2367
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Tourism Building
2 Paseo La Princesa
PUERTO RICO 00902-4435
Tel: 787-724-1245
Fax: 787-725-1903
Saba Tourist Bureau
P.O. Box 527
Windwardside
SABA
Tel: 011-599-4-62231
Fax: 011-599-4-62350
St. Lucia Tourist Board
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758-452-4094
Fax: 758-453-1121
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Appendix D
National Tourism Organisations Cont’d
Office Municipal du Tourisme
Quai du General de-Gaulle
Rue August Nyman Gualle
97133 Ile de Saint,
ST BARTHELEMY
Tel: 011-590-278727
Fax: 011-590-277447
Department of Tourism
Port Oranjestad
ST. EUSTATIUS
Tel: 011-599-382433
Fax: 011-599-382433
Ministry of Tourism
Government Headquarters
Basseterre
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Tel: 869-465-2521
Fax: 869-465-8794
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau
Walter Nisbeth Road No. 23
Philipsburg,
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011-5995-22337
Fax: 011-5995-22734
St. Martin Office du Tourisme
Port de Marigot
Marigot 97150
ST. MARTIN
Tel: 011-590-875721
Fax: 011-590-875643
Department of Tourism
Kingstown
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784-457-1502
Fax: 784-456-2610
Suriname Tourism Foundation
J.F. Nassylaan 2
Paramaibo
SURINAME
Tel: 011-597-410357
Fax: 011-597-477786
Tourism and Industrial Development Company
Of Trinidad & Tobago
10-14 Phillips Street
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868-623-1932
Fax: 868-623-3848
Department of Tourism
Tobago House of Assembly
NIB Hall, Scarborough
TOBAGO
Tel: 868-639-3880
Fax: 868-639-4677
Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board
Front Street, Grand Turk
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Tel: 649-946-2321
Fax: 649-946-2733
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Appendix E
Hotel & Tourism Associations
Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 1020, The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264-497-2944
Fax: 264-497-3091
E-Mail: atbtour@anguilanet.com
Bonaire Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 358,
BONAIRE
Tel: 599-7-5134
Fax: 599-7-8534
E-Mail: bvihca@caribsurf.com
Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association
Island House, Newgate Street
P. O. Box 454, St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268-462-0374
Fax: 268-462-3702
Website: www.antol.ag
BVI Hotel & Commerce Association
P.O. Box 376, Road Town
TORTOLA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284-494-3514
Fax: 284-494-6179
E-Mail: bvihca@caribsurf.com
Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association
L.G. Smith Boulevard 174
Box 542, Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel: 297-8-22607
Fax: 297-8-24202
E-Mail: ahata@setarnet.aw
Cayman Islands Hotel & Condominium
Association Ltd.
P.O. Box 13675
1428A Trafalgar Place, West Bay Road
George Town,
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345-945-4057
Fax: 345-945-4143
Bahamas Hotel Association
Dean’s Lane, Fort Charlotte
P. O. Box N-7799, Nassau
BAHAMAS
Tel: 242-322-8381/2
Fax: 242-326-5346
E-Mail: Bhainfo@Batelnet.bs
Association de Hoteles y Moteles de
Conzumel
P.O. Box 228, Calle 2 Nte, #299 – C
CONZUMEL, Quintana Roo 77600
MEXICO
Tel: 011-52-987-23132
Fax: 011-52-987-22809
E-Mail: ahoteles@cozunet.finred.com.mx
The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 711C, Bridgetown
BARBADOS
Tel: 246-426-5041
Fax: 246-429-2845
E-Mail: bhta@inaccs.com.bb
Hotel Bello Caribe
Calle 158 y Ave. 31, Playa
Ciudad de La Habana,
CUBA
Tel: 53-7-33-9906
Fax: 53-7-33-6839
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Appendix E
Hotel & Tourism Associations Cont’d
Belize Hotel Association
C/o Miller & Miller
P.O. Box 2058, #9 Lizarraga Avenue
BELIZE
Tel: 501-2-33485/31857
Fax: 501-2-30065
E-Mail: miller@btl.net
Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association
2 Ardenne Road, Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876-926-3635
Fax: 876-929-1054
Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 6115
CURAÇAO
Tel: 599-9-465-1005
Fax: 599-9-465-1052
E-Mail: donchata@cura.net
Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association
Miramar Plaza, Suite 702
954 Ponce de Leon Ave.
Santurce
PUERTO RICO 00907
Tel: 787-725-2901
Fax: 787-425-2913
E-Mail: EB_PRHTA@compuserve.com
Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association
P. O. Box 384, Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 809-448-6565
Fax: 899-448-0299
Association de Hoteles de Quinta Roo, AC
Avenida Palenque #18, SM 27, Depto. C
Cancun, Quinta Roo, 77590
MEXICO
Tel: 52-988-42853
Fax: 52-988-47115
E-Mail: ashca@cancun.novenet.com.mx
Asociacion Nacional de Hoteles y Restaurantes
Av. Mejico # 66, Edif. Perez & Cia
Santo Domingo,
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Tel: 809-687-4676
Fax: 809-687-4727
E-Mail: cpt@codetel.net.do
Association de Hoteliers de St. Barthelemy
Boite Postale. 648
97099 St.
ST. BARTHELEMY-CEDED
Tel: 590-27-55-56
Fax: 590-27-55-57
E-Mail: asshotels@compuserve.com
Grenada Hotel Association
P. O. Box 440, St. George’s
GRENADA
Tel: 473-444-1353
Fax: 473-444-4847
E-Mail: grenhota@caribsurf.com
Website: www.grenadahotelsinfo.com
St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 24238, GBS
ST. CROIX
U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 340-773-7117
Fax: 340-773-5883
E-Mail: st.croixinfo@worldnet.att.net
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Appendix E
Hotel & Tourism Associations Cont’d
Association des Professionels de l Hotellerie et St. Eustatius Hotel & Tourism Association
du Tourisme
C/o Hotel Talk of the Town
C/o La Creole Beach Hotel
L.E. Saddlerseg,
P.O. Box 61
ST. EUSTATIUS
97190 Gosier,
Tel: 599-3-82236
GUADELOUPE
Fax: 599-3-82640
Tel: 590-90-46-63
Fax: 590-84-15-74
Tourism Association of Guyana, Ltd.
157 Waterloo St., North Cummingsburg
Goergetown,
GUYANA
Tel: 592-2-50807
Fax: 592-2-50817
E-Mail: tag@solutions2000.net
St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association
P. O. Box 545
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758-452-5978
Fax:758-452-7967
E-Mail: sltha@candw.lc
Association Hoteliere et Touristique d Haiti
C/o Hotel Montana, Rue F. Cardozo
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Tel: 509-574647
Fax: 509-576137
Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin
C/o Hotel Beach Plaza
Baise de Marigot 97150
ST. MARTIN
Tel: 590-87-87-00
Fax: 590-87-18-87
St. Kitts and Nevis Hotel & Tourism Association
P. O. Box 438, Liverpool Row
Basseterre
ST. KITTS
Tel: 869-465-5304
Fax: 869-465-7746
St. Vincent & The Grenadines Hotel
Association
P.O. Box 384
Kingstown
ST. VINCENT
Tel: 784-458-4379
Fax: 784-456-4456
St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association
P.O. Box 486
Philipsburg
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 599-5-20108
Fax: 599-5-20107
E-Mail: shta@megatropic.com
Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism
Association
P.O. Box 150, Design House
Provo
TURKS & CAICOS
Tel: 649-941-3239
Fax: 649-941-3238
E-Mail: salem@Caribsurf.com
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Appendix E
Hotel & Tourism Associations Cont’d
St. Thomas/St. John Hotel Association
P. O. Box 2300
ST. THOMAS
US VIRGIN ISLANDS, 00803
Tel: 340-774-6835
Fax: 340-774-4993
Website: www.st.thomas.com
Trinidad & Tobago Hotel & Tourism Association
P.O. Box 243
Unit “B” 36 Scott Bushe Street
Port of Spain,
TRINIDAD
Tel: 868-624-3928
Fax: 868-627-4516
E-Mail: hotelassoc@wow.net
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Appendix F
CTO Chapters
Linda Christian-Clarke
Barbados Tourism Authority
Harbour Road
P.O. Box 242
Bridgetown
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 426-2723
Fax: 246 426-4080
Siddiqui Sylvester
Astral Travel
The Carenage
St. George’s
GRENADA
Tel: 473 440-5127 / 473 440-5180
Fax: 473 440-5466
Anne Saunders
Bon Voyage Travel Services Ltd.
7 Lady Musgrave Road
Kingston 5
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 978-5474
Fax: 876 978-5473
Gerard Bergasse
Carib Travel Agency
9211 Brazil Street
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2351
Clarita Richards
Kantours
Bird Rock Road
Basseterre
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
Tel: 869 465-3054
Fax: 869 465-4325
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Appendix G
Airlines Operating Intra-regionally
Bahamas Air
(800) 222-4262
American Airlines
(800) 433-7300
BWIA
(800) 538-2942
Air Jamaica
(800) 523-5585
Island Air
(800) 444-9904
Island Express
(954) 359-0380
Nassau-Par. Island Express
(800) 722-4262
American Eagle
(809) 497-2643
Win Air
(809) 775-0183
LIAT (1974) Ltd.
(809) 465-2286
Air Martinique
011-(596) 42-16-60
Air Aruba
(800) 882-7822
Air Calypso
011 (590) 29-46-00
Air Caribbean
(473) 444-1475
Air Guadeloupe
011- (590) 82-47-00
Air St. Barts
011 – (590) 27-61-90
ALM Antillean Airlines
(800) 327-7230
Island Air
(345) 949-5252
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Appendix G
Airlines Operating Intra-regionally Cont’d
Aero Postale
(246) 431-0540
Caribbean Clipper Airways
(268) 462-0323
Carib Aviation (Antigua)
(268) 462-3147
Helen Air
(758) 453-2777
(800) 744-4353
Guyana Airways
(800) 242-4210
Nevis Express
(268) 469-9755
Mustique Airways
(246) 428-1638
Suriname Airways
(800) 327-6864
St. Vincent & Grenadines Air
(784) 457-5124
Trans Island Air
(246) 418-1650
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999
ANGUILLA
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
Anguilla Day
Queen's Birthday
August Monday
August Tuesday
Constitution Day
Separation Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
3-May
24-May
31-May
5-Jun
2-Aug
5-Aug
7-Aug
19-Dec
25-Dec
26-Dec
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
CARICOM Day
Carnival Monday
Carnival Tuesday
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
3-May
24-May
5-Jun
2-Aug
3-Aug
1-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
ARUBA
New Year’s Day
Betico Croes' Birthday
Carnival Monday
National Anthem & Flag Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Coronation Day
Labour Day
Ascension Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
25-Jan
23-Feb
18-Mar
2-Apr
5-Apr
30-Apr
3-May
21-May
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
THE BAHAMAS
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Whit Monday
Labour Day
Independence Day
Emancipation Day
Discovery Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
24-May
4-Jun
10-Jul
2-Aug
12-Oct
25-Dec
26-Dec
BARBADOS
New Year’s Day
Errol Barrow Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Heroes Day
Labour Day
Whit Monday
Emancipation Day
Kadooment Day
United Nations Day
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
21-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
28-Apr
1-May
24-May
1-Aug
2-Aug
4-Oct
30-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
BELIZE
New Year’s Day
Baron Bliss Day
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Sovereign’s / CARICOM Day
St. George's / National Day
Independence Day
Pan American / Columbus Day
Garifuna Settlement Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
9-Mar
2-Apr
3-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
3-Jul
10-Sep
21-Sep
12-Oct
19-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
New Year’s Day
Commonwealth Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Queen's Birthday
Territory Day
Festival Monday
Festival Tuesday
Festival Wednesday
St. Ursula's Day
Birth. Of the Herito the Throne
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
9-Mar
2-Apr
5-Apr
13-Jun
1-Jul
3-Aug
4-Aug
5-Aug
21-Oct
16-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
CAYMAN ISLANDS
New Year’s Day
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Discovery Day
Queen's Birthday
Constitution Day
Remembrance Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
17-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
18-May
15-Jun
6-Jul
9-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
CUBA
Liberation Day
Labour Day
Revolution Days
Wars of Independence Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
3-May
25 to 27-Jul
10-Oct
25-Dec
CURAÇAO & NETHERLAND ANTILLES*
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Carnival
Queen's Birthday
Labour Day
Ascension Day
St. Maarten Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
29-Apr to 2-May
30-Apr
1-May
15-May
11-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
* Netherland Antilles - Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire, Philipsburg
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
DOMINICA
New Year’s Day
Carnival Monday
Carnival Tuesday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
August Monday
Independence Day
Community Day of Service
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
15-Feb
16-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
24-May
2-Aug
3-Nov
4-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
New Year’s Day
Feast of the Three Kings
Virgin of Altagraci
Duarte's Day
Good Friday
Corpus Christi
Restoration Day
Our Lady of Mercedes
Columbus Day
All Saints Day
Constitution Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
6-Jan
21-Jan
27-Feb
2-Apr
3-Jun
16-Aug
24-Sep
12-Oct
1-Nov
6-Nov
25-Dec
GRENADA
New Year’s Day
Independence Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
Corpus Christi
Emancipation Day / August H/Day
Carnival Monday
Carnival Tuesday
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
7-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
1-Jun
3-Jun
3-Aug
10-Aug
11-Aug
25-Oct
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
GUADELOUPE
New Year’s Day
Lenten Carnival
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Armistice Day of 1945
End of Slavery Day
National Day
Assumption Day
All Saints' Day
Armistice Day of 1918
Christmas Day
1-Jan
23 to 24-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
8-May
27-May
14-Jul
15-Aug
1-Nov
11-Nov
25-Dec
GUYANA
New Year’s Day
Republic Day / Mashramani
Phagwah
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
CARICOM Day
Emancipation Day
Eid-ul-Azah
Youman Nabi
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
23-Feb
As Decreed
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
3-Jul
2-Aug
As Decreed
As Decreed
25-Dec
26-Dec
HAITI
New Year’s Day
Ancestor's Day
Good Friday
Labour Day
Flag Day
Assumption Day
Dessalines Day
All Saints Day
All Souls Day
Battle of Vertieres Day
Discovery Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
2-Jan
2-Apr
3-May
18-May
15-Aug
17-Oct
1-Nov
2-Nov
18-Nov
5-Dec
25-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
JAMAICA
New Year’s Day
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Independence Day
Heroes Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
17-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
24-May
7-Aug
16-Oct
25-Dec
26-Dec
MARTINIQUE
New Year’s Day
Carnival Monday & Tuesday
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
1945 Victory Day
Ascension Day
Abolition of Slavery
Whit Monday
Bastille Day (National Day)
Assumption Day
All Saints Day
All Souls Day
Armistice Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
23 to 24-Feb
17-Feb
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
8-May
21-May
22-May
1-Jun
14-Jul
15-Aug
1-Nov
2-Nov
11-Nov
25-Dec
MEXICO
New Year’s Day
Constitution Day
Benito Juarez Birthday
Easter (Thurs. - Sun)
Labour Day
Independence day
Columbus Day
All Souls' Day
Anniversary of the Revolution
Day of Our Lady of Guadeloupe
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
5-Feb
21-Mar
1 to 4- Apr
1-May
16-Sep
12-Oct
2-Nov
20-Nov
12-Dec
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
MONTSERRAT
New Year’s Day
St. Patrick's Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
August Monday
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Festival Day
1-Jan
17-Mar
2-Apr
5-Apr
3-May
24-May
2-Aug
25-Dec
26-Dec
31-Dec
PUERTO RICO
New Year’s Day
Epiphany
Eugenio M. De Hostos Birthday
Martin Luther's King's Birthday
Presidents' Day
Emancipation Day
Good Friday
Jose de Diego's Birthday
Mother's Day
Memorial Day
Father's Day
U.S. Independence Day
Luis Munoz Rivera's Birthday
Constitution Day
Jose Celso Barbosa's Birthday
Labour Day
Columbus Day
Veteran’s Day
Discovery of Puerto Rico Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
6-Jan
12-Jan
19-Jan
16-Feb
22-Mar
2-Apr
21-Apr
10-May
25-May
21-Jun
4-Jul
21-Jul
25-Jul
27-Jul
1-Sep
12-Oct
9-Nov
19-Nov
25-Oct
25-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
New Year’s Day
Carnival Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
August Monday
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
2-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
23-May
2-Aug
19-Sep
25-Dec
26-Dec
ST. LUCIA
New Year’s Day
New Years Holiday
Carnival
Independence Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Whit Monday
1-Jan
2-Jan
23 to 24-Feb
22-Feb
2-Apr
4-Apr
5-Apr
1-May
18-May
ST. LUCIA Cont’d
Corpus Christi
Emancipation Day
Thanksgiving Day
National Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
28-May
3-Aug
6-Oct
13-Dec
25-Dec
26-Dec
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
New Year’s Day
Discovery & National Heroes Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
May Day
Whit Monday
CARICOM Day
Carnival Tuesday
August Monday
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
22-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
4-May
18-May
6-Jul
7-Jul
3-Aug
27-Oct
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
SURINAME
New Year’s Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Labour Day
Emancipation Day
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Years Eve
1-Jan
2-Apr
5-Apr
3-May
1-Jul
25-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
31-Dec
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
New Year’s Day
Spiritual Baptist Day
Liberation Shouter Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Indian Arrival Day
Corpus Christi
Labour Day
Emancipation Day
Independence Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
30-Mar
30-Mar
2-Apr
5-Apr
30-May
11-Jun
19-Jun
1-Aug
31-Aug
25-Dec
26-Dec
TURKS & CAICOS
New Year’s Day
Commonwealth Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
National Heroes Day
Queen's Birthday
Emancipation Day
National Youth Day
Columbus Day
International Human Rights Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
9-Mar
2-Apr
5-Apr
26-May
14-Jun
2-Aug
26-Sep
13-Oct
25-Oct
25-Dec
26-Dec
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Appendix H
Public Holidays in 1999 Cont’d
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
New Year’s Day
Three King's Day
Martin Luther's King's Birthday
Presidents' Day
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Children's Parade / Adult's Parade
Memorial Day
Organic Act Day
VI Emancipation Day
Independence Day
Hurricane Supplication Day
Labour Day
Columbus Day
VI Thanksgiving Day
D. Hamilton Jackson Day
Election Day
Veteran's Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
1-Jan
6-Jan
19-Jan
16-Feb
1-Apr
2-Apr
5-Apr
24 to 25-Apr
25-May
15-Jun
3-Jul
4-Jul
27-Jul
7-Sep
12-Oct
19-Oct
2-Nov
3-Nov
9-Nov
25-Dec
26-Dec
VENEZUELA
New Year’s Day
Carnival
Easter (Holy Week)
Labour Day
Battle of Carabobo
Bolivar's Birthday
Columbus Day
Christmas Day
1-Jan
27 to 28-Feb
1 to 5-April
1-May
24-Jun
24-Jul
12-Oct
25-Dec
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Appendix I
Festivals and Cultural Events
ANGUILLA
March
May
Moonsplash 99 - musical concert
Anguilla Day
Annual Culinary Competition
International Arts Festival
Summer Festival
Boat Races at Blowing Point
Boat Races at Island Harbor
Christmas Fair
July
August
December
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
January
February
April
Windsurfing Winter Competition
Grand Prix Regatta, Jolly Harbour
Annual Sailing Week
Classic Regatta
Department of Tourism Model Boat Race
Antigua Tennis Week
Sports Fishing Tournament
International Anglican Food Fair
Annual Summer Festival
Carnival Celebrations
Carnival
Heritage (National Dress) Day
Nicholsons Boat Show and Marine Trade Fair
May
July
August
October
December
ARUBA
January
Betico Croes Day
Calypsonian Contest and Roadmarch Contest
Start of Carnival
Carnival Monday, (Official Holiday)
Carnival Parade (San Nicolaas)
Carnival Queen Election
Childrens Parade (Noord)
Childrens Parade (Oranjestad)
Childrens Parade (Santa Cruz)
Grand Carnival Parade
Lightning Parade
Old Mask Parade and Burning of King Momito
Old Mask Parade and Burning of King Momo
February
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
ARUBA CONT’D
April
May
June
July
September
October
November
December
39th Annual 10 KM Boulevard Race
Bartenders Contest
Queens Day/Golf Tournament
Summer Jam
International Kite Festival
International Soccer Tournament
Dera-Gai (St. Johns Day – festival of celebration)
Final Dera-Gai Championship (Folk dance
competitions)
Hi-Winds Pro/AM World Challenge
Windsurfing Festival
Perrier 500 Divers Reef Care Project
Mundialito International Horse Show 1999
Deep Sea Fishing Tournaments
International Dance and Theatre Festival
International Catamaran Regatta
Saint Nicolaas Day
BAHAMAS
January
February
March
New Year's Day Junkanoo Parade
Abaco, Second Annual Wahoo Fishing Championships
Andros Island, Yoga Retreat
New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade
Staniel Cay New Year’s Day Cruising Regatta
Annual Ebony Fashion Fair
Annual New Year’s Day Sailing Regatta
Annual Quilt Show
The Polar Bear Swim
Annual Farmers Cay Festival
Nassau Race Week
Annual Valentine Massacre Regatta
Davis Cup Round One
Annual Seashell Awards Banquet
Annual Pinetree Stables Show
Annual Dog Show & Obedience Trials
Annual National Youth Choir Performance
The Kalik 7-A-Side Rugby Tournament
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
BAHAMAS CONT’D
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
December
Abaco Beach Resort Billfish Bash
Bimini and Family Island Regatta
Long Island Regatta
South Abaco Championship
GBI Best Ball Championship Golf
Abaco, 12th Annual Penny Turtle Billfish Ball
Abaco, Bertram-Hatteras Shoot-Out
Annual Caribbean Music Fest
Billfish Championship
Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla
Eluthera Pineapple Festival
Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas: 5th Annual Sailing
Regatta
Independence Day (Public Holiday)
National Amateur Championship
Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla
Cat Island Regatta
Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla
Summer Boating Fling/Flotilla
Annual Jazz and Blues Festival
Grand Bahama Island, GBI Amateur and Match Play
Championship
Annual Atlantis Superboat Challenge
Nicholls Town Regatta & Homecoming
International Cultural Weekend
Christmas Under The Stars
Lucayan Pro-Am Championship
Annual New Plymouth Historical Cultural Week
BARBADOS
January
February
March
Jazz Festival
Mount Gay International Regatta
Errol Barrow Day
Professional Windsurfing Association Championship
Holetown Festival
Cricket - 3rd Test, West Indies vs. Australia
Cricket – Barbados vs. Australia
Holders Opera Season
Vernal Equinox
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
BARBADOS CONT’D
April
May
June
July
August
October
November
December
Congaline Street Festival
Cricket - One Day Internationals, West Indies vs.
Australia
Oistins Fish Festival
Gospelfest
Texaco All Stage Rally
Mount Gay Regatta
Crop Over Festival
Harris Paints Regatta
Aqua Splash Water Festival
June Rally
Bernard Sealy Body-Building Classic
Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket
Tournament
Banks Barbados Hockey Festival
Gullivers International Seniors Cricket Tournament
Sea, Sun and Slams Bridge Tournament
Fred Rumsey Cricket Festival
International Surfing at the "Soup Bowl"
Run Barbados 10k and Marathon Series
United Barbados Open Golf Tournament
BELIZE
May
August
September
October
November
Coconut Festival
Sea & Air Festival
St. George’s Caye Day
Independence Celebrations
Pan American Day
Garifuna Settlement Day
BONAIRE
February
April
September
October
November
December
Carnival Starts
Rincon Day
Bonaire Day
International Sailing Regatta
Diving Festival
Bari Festival
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Appendix I
Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
January
March
April
May
June
July
August
October
November
December
Caribbean Jazz Festival
Laser and Rhodes 19 Midwinter Regatta
The Governors Cup
The Halyard Challenge (Yacht Club)
Classics in the Atrium (musical series)
Horticulture Society Annual Flower Show
Lewmer Pursuit Race
Sweethearts of the Caribbean ClassicYacht and
Schooner Regatta
Anegada Race
Annual Jost Van Dyke Caribbean Music Festival
Classic in the Atrium (musical series)
Tides of March Sailing Regatta
Spanish Towns Fishermans Jamboree
Spring Music Fest Community College Chorale &
Brass Ensemble
Spring Regatta
Virgin Gorda Easter Fest
Advantage Racing Challenge
Foxys Wooden Boat Regatta
Maypole Race
Bacardi Windsurfing Adventure
Carib Cup Regatta
Sand Castle Day Competition
Annual North Sound Regatta
Emancipation Festival Celebrations
Firecracker 500 Race
Anegada Days
August Festival Days
Interline Regatta
William Thorton/Virgins Cup
Annual Charter Yacht Society Boat Show
Annual Defiance Day Regatta
Annual Pro-Am Regatta
Pussers Round Tortola Race
Annual Womens Sailing Week
Commodores Race (Yacht Race)
Pussers Challenge (Yacht Race)
Wilmerding Memorial Challenge
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
CAYMAN ISLANDS
January
February
March
April
May
June
October
Caymanian Compass Fun Run Series
Ceremonial Opening of Grand Court
Texaco Annual Cross Island Relay
CBS Valentines Mile Run
Annual Mardi Gras Parade
International Golf Tournament Pro-Am
Annual Rotary Batabano Carnival
Around The World at Rum Point #4
Batabano Street Parade
CNCFs Cayfest Seaside
Sailing Club Easter Boat Show
International Fishing Tournament
Air & Sea Show -- Aviation Week
Annual Pirates Week
Annual Turtle Release
CURAÇAO
January
February
March
April
May
Carnival
Childrens Tumba Festival
International Sailing Regatta
Piano Recital
Teen Festival
Tumba Festival
"Lets Meet" Street Fair
Childrens Carnival Parade
International Sailing Regatta
Grand Farewell Parade - End of Carnival
Teen Carnival Parade
Final Carnival Parade in Mao, Bonao and Salcedo
International Blue Marlin Tournament
International Drag Races
International Open Tennis Tournament
Piano Recital
Sami Sail
International Marine Naval Show
International Underwater Festival and International
Dive Week
Open Monument Day
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
CURAÇAO CONT’D
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
International Surfing Tournament
World Cup Waterski Festival
Drag Racing Competition
Salsa Festival
Festival of Modern Local Dances
12th Annual Jazz Festival
Air Show
Oktoberfest
Curaçao 500
Coral Spawning
New Zealand String Quartet
Golden Artists Music Festival
International Celebrity Golf Tournament
Festival of Lights
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
February
March
April
June
July
December
Carnival Starts
Final Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo
Bank of Nova Scotia Yacht Race
"Los Cachuas" Carnival in Cabral
Latin Music Festival
Puerto Plata Cultural Festival
Final Carnival Parade in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingos Food and Merengue Festival
Start of Puerto Platas Merengue Festival
GRENADA
January
February
March
April
International Triathlon
La Source Sailing Festival
Spice Island Billfish Tournament
Carriacou Carnival Festival
True Blue Inn Yacht Race
International Food and Drink Festival
St. Patrick's Day Fiesta Celebrations
St. Barthélemy: Mi Carème
Petite Martinique Regatta.
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
GRENADA CONT’D
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
St. Marks Fiesta
Grenada Electricity Services Yacht Race
Labour Day Celebrations
Spice Jazz Festival
Whitsuntide Games
Fisherman's Birthday Celebrations
Footloose and Outfitters International Yacht Race
34th Annual Carriacou Regatta
La Source Yacht Race
Venezuela Independence Yacht Race
Grenadas Carnival
Rainbow City Festival
Yacht Club Race
Thanksgiving Day Celebrations
Yacht Club Race
Yacht Race
Carriacou Parang Festival
Sailing Festival
GUADELOUPE
January
February
March
April
June
August
November
La Fête des Rois
St. Barthélemy: 15th Annual Music Festival
Carnival Celebrations
Mardi Gras
Parades of Carnival
St. Barthélemy: Carnival
Negril Music Festival
Crab Fest
Fête de la Musique
Fête des Cuisiniéres (Cooks Festival)
Tour de la Guadeloupe (International Bicycle Race)
St. Barthélemy: Festival of Gustavia
St. Barthélemy: Festival of St. Barthélemy
St. Barthélemy: Festival of St. Louis
St. Barthélemy: Fête du Vent
St. Barthélemy: 50th Anniversary of Le Select Bar
St. Barthélemy: Swedish Marathon Race
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
HAITI
February
July
Carnival
Ra Ra
Limonade
Plain du Nor
Petit Goave
Quanaminthe
JAMAICA
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Accompong Maroon Festival
Annual National Exhibition
Bob Marley Week
Polo Exhibition Tournament
Blue Mahoe Craft Fair and Beach Party
Bob Marley Birthday Bash
Hague Agricultural Show
International Marathon
Pineapple Cup Yacht Race
Mi Carème
Orchid Society Annual Spring Show
43rd Annual Orchid Special Show and Celebration
Carnival
Drax Hall Kite Festival
Harmony Hall Easter Craft Sale
Montego Bay Easter Regatta
Negril Sprint Triathlon
Portland Annual Flower Show
Treasure Beach Off Road Triathlon
Manchester Horticulture Show
St. James Horticulture Show
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
August Fair
Negril Craft and Vendors Carnival
International Horse Show and Polo Tournament
Reggae Sunsplash (music festival)
Reggae Sumfest (music festival)
Falmouth Fishing Tournament
Montego Bay Yacht Club Marlin Tournament
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
JAMAICA CONT’D
October
November
December
All That Heritage and Jazz
Discovery Bay Marlin Tournament
James Bond Oracabessa Marlin Tournament
Ocktoberfest
Terra Nova Heritage Food Festival
World Cup of Golf Qualifier
Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
Devon House Christmas Craft Fair
MARTINIQUE
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
November
December
La Fête des Rois
Start of Carnival
Reggae Sunsplash
Carnival
Dimanche Gras
Mardi Gras
International Sailing Week
International Triathlon Competition
Fetsival of the Sea
Martinique Food Show
Celebration of the Abolition of Slavery
Le Mai de St-Pierre
June Regattas
Festival of Fort-de-France
Cultural Nights
Tour de la Martinique (International Bicycle Race)
Cultural Festival
Tour des Yoles Rondes (Sailing festival)
Festival du Marin
Half-Marathon
International Fishing Tournament
Art and Popular Traditions Exhibitions
Fête du Conte( Story Telling and Theater in the Streets)
International Jazz Festival
Rum Festival
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
MEXICO
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Año Nuevo
Día de los Santos Reyes
Fiesta de Enero
Feast Day of de San Antonio de Abad
Candlemas
Día de la Constitución/Carnaval.
Flag Day
Mardi Gras
Spring Equinox
The Birthday of Benito Juárez
Children's Day
San Marcos National Fair
Semana Santa
Primero de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Mother's Day
Navy Day
Guelaguetza
Eve of the Feast of the Assumption of The Virgin Mary
Huamantla
Annual State of the Union
Día de Nuestra Señora
Mexican Independence Day
Día de la Raza
Day of the Dead
Mexican Revolution Day
Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Festival of Radishes
Las Posadas
Christmas
PUERTO RICO
January
February
March
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, (Official Holiday)
San Sebastian Street Festival
Symphony Orchestra Season Concert
Nautical Week
National Coffee Festival
San Blas de Illesca Marathon
Annual Heineken Regatta
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
PUERTO RICO CONT’D
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Enrique Ramirez Marathon
Mavi Carnival
Symphony Orchestra Concert
Memorial Day, Official Holiday
Puerto Rico Heineken Annual Jazz Festival
Country Fair
Symphony Orchestra
Virgin del Pozo Marathon
Aibonito Flower Festival
Casals Festival
San Juan Bautista Day
Independence Day, (Official Holiday)
Constitution Day, (Official Holiday)
International Billfish Tournament
International Billfish Tournament
Labor Day (Official Holiday)
Columbus Day, (Official Holiday)
National Plantain Festival
Thanksgiving, (Official Holiday)
Veterans Day, (Official Holiday)
Discovery Day, Official Holiday
Festival of Puerto Rican Music
Festival of Typical Dishes
Jayuya Indian Festival
National Day of Bomba and Plena
Symphony and Orchestra Concert.
Bacardi Corporation Artisan's Fair
Navidades
International Offshore Cup (Speedboat races)
Nutcracker Suite Ballet
Womens Festival.
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
January
February
April
May
June
July
August
September
December
Carnival Last Lap (a parade of costumes and street dancing)
Horse Races
Nevis Tourism Week
Good Friday Kite Flying Competition
Caribbean Offshore Race
St. Kitts International Triathlon
St. Kitts Music Festival
Culturama
St. Kitts and Nevis: Horse Racing
Heritage Festival
Independence Week Of Activities
Christmas Carol Fest
ST. LUCIA
February
April
May
June
August
October
November
December
St. Lucia Carnival
Comedy Festival
Earth Day - Soleil Leve
Jazz Festival
Fisherman's Feast
Feast of St. Rose De Lima
Feast of La Marguerite
St. Lucia Billfishing Tournament
St. Lucia: Jounen Kweyol Entenasyonnal International Creole
Day
Atlantic Rally for Cruisers Race Starts
St. Lucia: St. Cecelias Day
Atlantic Race for Cruisers (1st Yacht arrives).
Country Festival
Folk Festival
National Dress Day Activities
ST. MAARTEN
January
March
April
May
Round The Island Long Distance Sailing Race
Cruise Race
Carnival
Annual Guavaberry Regatta
Annual Skå Congress
Beefeater Womens Laser Regatta
Open Laser Championship
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Festivals and Cultural Events Cont’d
ST. MAARTEN CONT’D
June
July
Billfish Tournament
Body Building Competition
Eastern Caribbean Body Building Championship
Friendly Island Golf Tournament
Kingdom Games
ST. MAARTEN CONT’D
September
November
Central American-Caribbean Body Building Championship
Heineken Deep Sea Fishing Challenge
Road Runners Run Around the Island Relay Run
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
March
April
June
July
December
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
January
February
March
April
May
Easterval
Fishermen's Week
Carnival
Canovan Annual Regatta
Nine Mornings Festival
Carnival Activities
Chutney Soca Monarch Preliminaries, Semifinals and Finals
Cruiser Race
Dinghy Racing
Girl Pat to Grenada (Yachting event)
Golf Open Championship at St. Andrews Golf Club
Golf Open Championship Venue: Mount Irvine Golf Club
Moonlight Cruise
Carnival Activities
Cruiser Race
Dinghy Racing
Phagua Hindu Festival
National Flower Show
Richard Waddell Memorial two-day Race
"An Elegant Evening in the Courtyard"
Carib Beer International Game Fishing Tournament
Caribbean Windsurfing Championships
Cruiser Race
Dinghy Race
La Divinia Pastora Festival
Angostura Yachting World Regatta
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Festivals and Cultural Events cont’d
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CONT’D
June
July
August
September
October
November
Presidents Cup Yachting
Presidents Cup Yachting
Hosay Muslim Cultural Festival
Tobago Heritage Festival
Raft About 99 (San FernandoYacht Club)
Tobago Heritage Finale
Santa Rosa Festival
International Drag Racing
Parang Festival
The Festival of Rapso & The Oral Tradition 1999
Orchid Show
School Steel Band Music Festival
Ragin Rapso (The Festival of Rapso and Oral Traditions)
Rapso Festival
Divali Festival of Lights
TURKS & CAICOS
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Spring Garden Festival
South Caicos Reggatta
Queen's Official Birthday Celebrations
Fun in the Sun
Annual Billfish Tournament
Festarama
Provo Summer Festival
MC Expo
Grand Turk Fishing Tournament
Cactusfest
Youth Day
Amateur Open Golf Championship
Columbus Day Celebrations
Remembrance Day Service
Burning of Guy Fawkes
Christmas tree Light Ceremony
Anglican Church Bazaar
Methodist Boxing Day Fair
Dandamist
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media
Radio Anguilla
Department of Information & Broadcasting
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-2212
Fax: 264 497-5432
Heartbeat Radio
P.O. Box 210
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-3354
Fax: 264 497-3909
All Island Cable Television Company
P. O. Box 336
George Hill
The Valey
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-3600
Fax: 264 497-3602
Email: axacable@anguillanet.com
Anguilla Life
P. O. Box 109
Ultra Cool Bldg.
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-3080
Fax: 264 497-2501
The Herald
P.O. Box 483
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-3138
Fax: 264 497-8707
Email: abcarty@offshore.com.ai
The Light
P.O. Box 1373
Herbert Commercial Center
The Valley
ANGUILLA
Tel: 264 497-5058
Fax: 264 497-5795
Email: thelight@anguillanet.com
Antigua & Barbuda Broadcasting Service
Ministry of Public Information
Cross Street
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-0010
Fax: 268 462-4442
Email: govinfo@candw.ag
Cable Television Space Data Electronics Ltd.
P. O. Box 1536
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-0346
Fax: 268 462-4211
ZDK Radio – 100AM/99FM
P.O. Box Redcliffe Street
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-1100
Fax: 268 462-4320
Email: images@candw.ag
Z-Sun-FM
P.O. Box 3100
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-1912
Fax: 268 462-4320
Email: images@candw.ag
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Caribbean News Media Cont’d
The Antigua Sun
P. O. Box W 263
Woods Centre
Suite 9
St John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 480-5960
Fax: 268 480-5984
Email: antiguasun@candw.ag
The Daily Observer
P.O. Box 1318
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 480-1750
Fax: 268 480-1757
The Outlet
McKinnons
P.O. Box 493
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-4453
Fax: 268 462-0438
The Worker’s Voice
North Street
St. John’s
ANTIGUA
Tel: 268 462-4453
Fax: 268 462-0438
TeleAruba
Pos Chiquito
P.O. Box 392
Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel: 011 297-85-7302
Fax: 011 297-85-1683
ABC-Aruba Broadcasting Company
L. G. Smith Blvd.
Royal Plaza
Suite 225
P. O. Box 5040
Oranjestad
ARUBA
Tel: 011 297-83-8150
Fax: 011 297-83-8750
Email: 15atv@setarnet.aw
Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas
Third Terrace East
P.O. Box N-1347
Centreville
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 322-4623
Fax: 242 322-3924
Email: bcbcorp@mail.bahamas.net.bs
Cool 96 FM Radio
P.O. Box F-40773
Freeport
Grand Bahama
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 352-7440
Fax: 242 352-8709
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Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Love 97 FM Radio
Jones Communication Co. Ltd.
P. O. Box N-3909
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 356-2555
Fax: 242 356-72563
Email: love97@batelnet.bs
More 94.9 FM
Carmichael Rd.
P.O. Box N-7030
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 361-2447
Fax: 242 361-2448
Email: galen@batelnedt.bs
100 Jamz FM Radio
Tribune Radio Ltd.
P.O. Box N-3207
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 328-4771
Fax: 242 356-5343
Freeport News
P.O. Box F-40007
Cedar Street
Freeport
Grand Bahamas
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 352-8321
Fax: 242-351-3449
The Bahama Journal
P. O. Box N-8610
East Street North
Media House
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 325-3082
Fax: 242 325-3996
Email: love97@batelnet.bs
The Punch
Punch Publications Ltd.
P.O. Box N-4081
Farrington Rd
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 322-7112
Fax: 242 323-5268
Nassau Guardian
The Nassau Guarding (1944) Ltd.
P.O. Box N-3011
Nassau
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242-323-5654
Fax: 242 325-3379
Email: nasprod@batelnet.bs
The Abaconian
P.O. Box AB-20551
Marsh Harbour
Abaco
THE BAHAMAS
Tel: 242 367-2677
Fax: 242 267-3677
Caribbean Broadcasting Union
Wilkins Lodge
Two Mile Hill
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 430-1000
Fax: 246 429-2171
Email: cbusat@caribsurf.com
Caribbean News Agency
Culloden View
Beckles Road
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 429-2903
Fax: 246 429-4355
Email: cana@sunbeach.net
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Barbados Broadcasting Service
Astoria
St. George
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 437-9550
Fax: 246 437-9554
Barbados Rediffusion Service Ltd.
River Road
Bridgetown
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 430-7300
Fax: 246 426-5377
Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation
Pine
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 429-2041
Fax: 246 429-4795
Email: cbc@caribnet.net
The Nation Newspaper
Nation Publishing Co. Ltd.
Fontabelle
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 430-5400
Fax: 246 427-6968
Email: nationnews@sunbeach.net
The Barbados Advocate
P.O. Box 230
Fontabelle
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 434-2000
Fax: 246 434-2020
Email: advocate@sunbeach.net
The Broadstreet Journal
Hoyos Publishing Inc.
Letchworth Complex
The Garrison
Christ Church
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 437-8770
Fax: 246 437-8772
Email: bsj@sjds.net
Caribbean Week
Caribbean Communications Inc.
Lefferts Place
River Road
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel: 246 436-1903/03/05/06
Fax: 246 436-1904
Email: cweek@sunbeach.net
Broadcasting Corporation of Belize
Albert Catthouse Building
Corner Regent & Bishop Streets
P.O. Box 89
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel: 011 501-2-72468
Fax: 011 501-2-75040
Email: RBGold@BTL.NET
Great Belize Productions Ltd.
17 Regent Street
P.O. Box 679
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel: 011 501-2-73146
Fax: 011 501-2-74936
Email: gbtv@btl.net
Radio Belize
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel: 011 501-2-77246
Fax: 011 501-2-70781
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Love FM
33 Freetown Road
Belize City
BELIZE
Tel: 011 501-2-32098
Fax: 011 501-2-30529
Cayman Islands Government – Dept. of Broadcasting
P.O. Box 1110 GT
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
TEL: 345 949-7799
FAX: 345 949-6536
Cayman Christian Television
P.O. 964 GT
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-2427
Heaven 97
P. O. Box 31481 SMB
GKF Building
Industrial Park
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 945-2797
Fax: 345 945-2707
Z99 FM
P.O. Box 301110 SMB
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-1106
Fax: 345 949-1106
Cayman Free Press
P.O. Box 1365
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-5111
Fax: 345 949-7033
Cayman Horizons
Progressive Publications Ltd.
P.O. Box 764 GT
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-5780
Fax: 345 949-7674
Email: horizons@candw.ky
Local Rhythm
A & R Production
P.O. Box 552 GT
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 945-1502
Email:supernil@candw.ky
Tourist Publications
P. O. Box 1544 GT
Grand Cayman
CAYMAN ISLANDS
Tel: 345 949-5577
Fax: 345 949-7538
Cuba Institute of Radio and Television
Calle 23 #258
Vedado
Habana
CUBA
Tel: 011 537-786160
Fax: 011 537-333408
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Netherlands Antilles Television
Berg Arrarat Z/N
P.O. Box 415
Willemstad
CURAÇAO
Tel: 011 599-9-461-1288
Fax: 011 599-9-461-4138
Email: Telecur@IBM.net
Dominica Broadcasting Corporation
Victoria Street
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767 448-3282-3/4302
Fax: 767 448-2918
Email: dbsradio@dbsradio.com
Kairi FM
Island Communications Corp. Ltd.
P. O. Box 931
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767 448-7331
Fax: 767 448-7332
Email: kairifm@cwdom.dm
The Chronicle
Wall House
P.O. Box 1724
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767 448-6661
Fax: 767 448-0047
Marpin Television Company Ltd.
P.O Box 2381
Great Malborough Street
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767 448-4107
Fax: 767 448-2965
Email: manager@marpin.dm
The Tropical Star
P. O. Box 353
Roseau
DOMINICA
Tel: 767 448-4634
Fax: 767 448-5984
Grenada Broadcasting Network Ltd.
P. O. Box 535
Morne Jaloux
St. Georges
GRENADA
Tel: 473 444-5521/2 (TV) 440-3033/2446 (Radio)
Fax: 473 444-5054 (TV) 440-4180 (Radio)
Email: gbn@caribsurf.com
Grenada Today
St. John’s Street
P. O. Box 142
St. George’s
GRENADA
Tel: 473 440-4401
Fax: 473 440-6592
Email: gtodayy@caribsurf.com
The Grenadian Voice
Melville Street
P. O. Box 3
St. Georges
GRENADA
Tel: 473 440-3983
Fax: 473 440-4117
VS. FM Radio
Marrast Hill
St. Georges
GRENADA
Tel: 473 440-6421
Fax: 473 440-6220
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Guyana Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcasting House
44 High Street
Werke-en-rust
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-2-5873462691/58025
Fax: 011 592-2-58756
Guyana Television Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
Homestretch Ave.
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-2-71566
Fax: 011 592-2-62253
Email: gmgtv@sdnp.org.gy
Stabroek News
Guyana Publications Ltd.
46-47 Robb Street
Lacytown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-2-72824
Fax: 011 592-2-54637
Email: starbroeknews@stabroeknews.com
Vieira Communications Ltd.
301 Church St.
South Cummingburg
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-2-55753/69921
Fax: 011 592-2-55752
RHM Television Service
Lot 1 Croal Street
Georgetown
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-2-72317/81591
Fax: 011 592-2-57218
Email:mckay@guyana.net.gy
Agence Haitienne De Presse (AHP)
Rue Fernand
6, Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Tel: 011 509-45-7222
Fax: 011 509-45-5836
Email: ahp@haitiworld.com
Little Rock TV Station
67 Wryman’s Erven
New Amsterdam
Berbice
GUYANA
Tel: 011 592-3-3758/4758/4445
Fax: 011 592-3-4446
Telehaiti Societe Haitienne
de Television Par Satellites
S.A. Blvd
Harry Truman
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Tel: 011 509-22-3000
Fax: 011590-22-9140
Email: telhaiti@acn2net
CVM Television Ltd.
Blaise Industrial Park
69 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 931-9400-3
Fax: 876 931-9417
Email: manager@cvmtv.com
Financial Times
5 Caribbean Ave.
Trafalgar Park
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 926-4185
Fax: 876 921-5329
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Independent Radio Co. Ltd.
6 Bradley Ave.
P. O. Box 370
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 968-4880-2
Fax: 876 968-9165
Irie FM
Coconut Grove
P.O. Box 282
Ocho Rios
St. Ann
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 974-5043
Fax: 876 974-5943
Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation
5-9 South Odeon Ave
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 926-7995
Fax: 876 906-4667
Klas Radio
40B Halfway Tree Road
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 962-2002
Fax: 876 962-2004
Radio Jamaica Ltd.
P. O. Box 23
32 Lyndhurst Rd
Kingston 5
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 926-1100-9
Fax: 876 929-7467
Email: rjr@raiojamaica.com
Super Supreme Television
3-5 South Odeon Ave
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 926-5620-9
Fax: 876 929-1029
Email: rjr@radiojamaica.com
The Gleaner
The Gleaner Co. Ltd.
7 North Street
P.O. Box 40
Kingston
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 922-3400
Fax: 876 922-6223
Email: feedback@jamaica-
Sunday Herald
86 Hagley Park Road
Kingston 10
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 901-5022/5029
Fax: 876 937-7314
Email: chriskay@cwjamaica.com
Jamaica Observer
2 Fagan Ave.
Kingston 8
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 931-7130
Fax: 876 931-7842
Email: systems@jamaicaobserver.com
Jampress
3 Chelsea Ave.
Kingston
JAMAICA
Tel: 876 929-6711
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
RFO (Martinique)
La Clairiere BP 662
9762-Forte de France
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596-595-200
Fax: 264 497-5432
Sun FM
Boulevard Chevalier
Sainte Marthe
97800-Fort de France
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596 63 0897
Fax: 011 596 60 1954
France Antilles
Place Francois Mitterand
97800
Fort de France
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596 73 5265
Fax: 011 596-70 1582
Antilla
Jambette
Beusejour
97800
Fort de France
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596 73 5265
Fax: 011 596 70 1582
Martinique TV Cable
Zone de la Jambette
97232 LP Lampntin
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596 50 5437
Fax: 011 596 1502
Email: mtvcable@cgit.com
ATV
25 Avenue de Arawaks
97200
Fort de France
MARTINIQUE
Tel: 011 596 75 4444/6629
Fax: 011 596 75 5565
Radio Montserrat
Sweeney’s P. O. Box 52
Nixon’s
MONTSERRAT
Tel: 664 491-2885
Fax: 664 491-9250
ACM Publishing
COSC Business Services Bureau
Prince William Street
Charlestown
NEVIS
Tel: 869 469-5466
Fax: 869 469-5938
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
St. Kitts and Nevis Observer
Government Road
Charlestown
NEVIS
Tel: 869 469-5907
Fax: 869 469-5891
Email: obsernv@caribsurf.com
Von Radio
Von Radio
NEVIS
Tel: 869 469-1616
Fax: 869 469-5329
Cablevision
C/o Cable & Wireless
P. O. Box 111
Bridge Street
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 453-9000
Fax: 758 453-9701
ZIZ Radio & Television
Springfield
P.O. Box 331
Basseterre
ST. KITTS
Tel: 869 465-2621-2
Fax: 869 465-5624
Daher Broadcasting Service
P.O. Box 1623
Vigie
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 453-2705/2768
Fax: 758 452-3544
Gem Radio
John Compton Highway
P.O. Box 1146
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 451-6400
Fax: 758 452-2633
Email: turner@gemradio.com
Helen Television System
P. O. Box 621
Morne Fortune
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2693
Fax:: 758 453-1737
Email: hts@candw.lc
Radio 100 Helen FM
P. O. Box 621
Morne Fortune
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2693
Fax: 758 453-1737
Radio Caribbean International
Radio Caribbean (1982) Ltd.
11 Mongiraud St.,
P. O. Box 121
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2590
Fax: 758 452-2637
St. Lucia Broadcasting Corporation
P. O. Box 660
The Morne
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-23367/7415/3959
Fax: 758 453-1568/0370
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
One Caribbean
La Toc Highway
P. O. Box 852
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 451-7378
Fax: 758 451-8963
The St. Lucia Mirror
P. O. Box 1782
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 451-6181/6186
Fax: 758 451-6503
The Crusader
19 Louis St.
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2203
Fax: 758-452-1986
The Voice
P. O. Box 104
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 452-2590
Fax: 758 453-1453
PJW-1
Great Bay Broadcasting Co.
P. O. Box 1029
Philipsburg
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599-5-25789
Fax: 011 599-5-25791
St. Maarten Cable TV
Johan Vermeerstreet #4
Madame Estate
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599-5-24361
Fax: 011 599-5-25284
The Chronicle
Windward Publishing Co.
Arch Rd. 25
Sucker Garden
P.O. Box 43
Philipsburg, SXM
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599-5-25467
Fax: 011 599-5-25466
St. Marten Guardian
Information N.V.
P. O. Box 1046
Valun Building
Philipsburg
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599-5-26022
Fax: 011 599-5-26043
The Herald
Front Street #17
P.O. Box 828
Philipsburg
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599-5-25253
Fax: 011 599-5-25913
Email: snow@megatropic.com
The Star
Publishing Co
P.O. Box 1146
Massade Industrial Estate
Castries
ST. LUCIA
Tel: 758 450-7827
Fax: 758 450-8694
Email: starpub@candw.lc
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
PJD-2 & PJD-3
The Voice of St. Maarten
Plaza 21
Backstreet
P. O. Box 366
Philipsburg, SXM
ST. MAARTEN
Tel: 011 599 5-25773
Fax: 011 599-5-25778
National Broadcasting Corporation
Richmond Hill
P.O. Box 705
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784 457-1111
Fax: 784 456-2749
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Broadcasting
Corporation
Dorsetshire Hill
P. O. Box 617
Kingstown
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784 456-1078
Fax: 784 456-1015
Email: svgbc@caribsurf.com
The Herald
The Herald Ltd.
Belmont
Bequia
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784 457-3270
Fax: 784 457-3466
Email: herald@caribsurf.com
The News
P. O. Box 1078
Frenches Gate
Kingstown
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Tel: 784 456-2942
Fax: 784 456-2941
Email: thenews@caribsurf.com
Surinaamse Televisie Stichting
Letitia Vriesdelaan #5
P. O. Box 535
Paramaribo
SURINAME
Tel: 011 597-47-3100
Fax: 011 597-47-7216
Email: stvs@sr.net
ATV-Telesur
Adrianusstraat 55
Paramaribo
SURINAME
Tel: 011 597-40-4611
Fax: 011 597-40-2660
Central Radio 90.5 FM
Suite #5
Valpark Shopping Plaza
Valsyn
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 645-8081-4
Fax: 868 662-4309
Email: radio90@stt.net.tt
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Music Radio 97
Telemedia Ltd. – Music Radio 97
4th Floor Long Circular Mall
St. James
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 622-4124, 628-6397
Fax: 868 622-6693
Email: radio97@wow.net
Caribbean Communications Network – TV6
Express House
35 Independence Square
P. O. Box 1252
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
TEL: 868 627-8806(TV) 7463/1711 (RADIO)
FAX: 868 627-2721 1451 (RADIO)
Trinidad Broadcasting Co. Ltd.
22 St Vincent Street
2nd Floor Guardian Building
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 623-9202
Fax: 868 623-7865
International Communications Network
11A Maraval Rd.
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
P. O. Box610 TTT
Tel: 868 622-4141
Newsday
19-21 Chacon Street
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 623-4929-31, 624-5025, 625-8361
Fax: 868 625-8362
Email: Newsday@carib/link.net
Radio Vision Ltd.
88-90 Abercomby St.
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 627-6937
Fax: 868 627-8223
Trinidad Guardian
22-24 St. Vincent Street
P. O. Box 122
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 623-8870
Fax: 868 625-7211
Email: letters@ttol.co.tt
Independent Publishing Co. Ltd.
27 Chacon Street
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 625-4479, 4583-4, 5712, 62-SCOOP
Fax: 868 625-4480
Email: independent@wow.net
Trinidad Express Newspapers
35-37 Independence Square
Port of Spain
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 623-1711
Fax: 868 625-8897
Email: express@trinidadexpress.com
T & T News Centre
C/o T & T News Centre Ltd.
9th Street and 9th Ave.
Barataria
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Tel: 868 674-1692-5
Fax: 868 674-3228
Email: ttnews@opus.co.tt
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Appendix J
Caribbean News Media Cont’d
Radio ZBVI
P. O. Box 78
Road Town
TORTOLA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284 494-2250/2430/6994
Fax: 284 464-1139
Email: zbvi@caribsurf.com
The Island Sun
Sun Enterprises (BVI) Ltd.
P. O. Box 21
Road Town
TORTOLA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284 494-2476
Fax: 284 494-3510
Email: issun@caribsurf.com
The BVI Beacon
Main Street
P. O. Box 3030
Road Town
TORTOLA
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 284 494-3434
Fax: 284 494-6267
Email: bvibeac@caribsurf.com
St. Thomas – St. John Cable TV
Caribbean Communications Corp.
One Beltjen Place
ST. THOMAS
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00801
Tel: 340 776-2150
Fax: 340 774-5029
Email: amartin@cabletv.vi
St. Croix Avis
P. O. Box 750
Christiansted
ST. CROIX
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00821
Tel: 340 773-2300
Fax: 340 773-5511
Email: stxavis@viavccess.net
St. Croix Cable TV
4501 Estate Diamond
Christiansted
ST. CROIX
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00801
Tel: 340 778-6701
Fax: 340 778-3129/5230
Email: jackwhite@viaacess.net
Virgin Island Independent
No. 40 Norre Gade
Professional Bldg.
Unit 17
ST. THOMAS
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00801
Tel: 340 774-7576
Fax: 340 774-6886
Knight Quality Stations
13 Crown Bay Fill
P. O. Box 305678
ST. THOMAS
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Tel: 340 776-1000
Fax: 340 776-5357
Email: knightvi@viacess.net
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Appendix K
Flight Route – Air Jamaica
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Appendix L
Flight Route – LIAT
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Appendix M
Flight Route – American Eagle
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Appendix N
Flight Route – Helen Air
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Appendix O
Flight Route – Air ALM
124