BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE National Carnival Committee (NCC) has declared that the Federation has seen an increase in tourist arrivals during the Christmas/Carnival Season when compared with the previous calendar year.
For the period December 15 to January 2, the NCC said the Federation had seen 11, 968 passenger arrivals, which was an increase of 2,000 over the same period a year ago, and described it as a “remarkable surge of arrivals”.
“This influx of arrivals not only reflects the allure of our Federation as a tourism destination but also highlights the significant importance of Suga Mas to residents, returning nationals and international visitors alike,” the Committee said in a press statement.
The 2023/2024 Carnival saw the return of the Miss Haynes Smith Regional Pageant, which brought delegates from nine territories to St. Kitts to compete against the Federation’s representative, while the Grand Parade, Last Lap and J’Ouvert saw a number of foreign nationals joining various troupes to celebrate in the festivities.
“Sugar Mas has evolved into an annual pilgrimage, drawing people to revel in our unique blend of culture, music and unity,” noted the Committee.
The uptick in tourist arrivals had trickled down to economic benefits throughout the Christmas-Carnival Season; benefits that the NCC highlighted to the local economy, from car rentals to Airbnb.
“The impact of this national event extends beyond the celebratory festivities, leaving a lasting imprint on our economy. Restaurants experienced an unprecedented surge in demand…Car rental services also witnessed a remarkable uptick in business, as vehicles were swiftly rented to transport visitors across our picturesque landscape,” the NCC media statement read.
Meanwhile, the NCC emphasized that it created hundreds of seasonal jobs that benefited locals during the Carnival period.
