BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - Described as the major economic driver for St. Kitts and Nevis, the tourism sector is facing a number of challenges both locally and internationally.
This announcement came today (Nov. 2) at the Ocean Terrace Inn, where a number of stakeholders gathered to discuss the state of the tourism industry and plans for 2017.
Among the challenges facing the local industry are the uncertainties surrounding Britain's exit from the European Union, the possible fallout from the United States presidential election, the drop in the value of the Pound Sterling, limited marketing dollars, and the impact of Zika virus.
Updating stakeholders on the progress of the industry in 2016, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), Racquel Brown stated that there is a level of uncertainty within the UK market, pointing to the Brexit matter.
She explained that this has had an effect on the local sector because many people are uncertain about their travels to the Caribbean and the possible implications the exit would have on monies invested elsewhere.
She informed that the problems surrounding Brexit had affected confidence before, during and after the vote.
“People are going to wonder what is going to happen in early spring when a decision is made in early March. How is that going to impact travel?” the CEO questioned.
Further, Brown noted when it comes to the United States presidential election, which is only six days away, there is a usual “apprehension in the market, and that is felt across the board”.
“It didn’t help much also with Zika in the Caribbean market on the back of the first three months. While there were some destinations that were always doing well with the mass tourism, Jamaica, the Bahamas, their numbers were low. But we are seeing where the US election does make a decision factor...What am I going to do? I think after 2008 they were guarded against their vacations,” she noted.
Brown however stressed that the US still remains the number one source market for the local tourism product.
Meanwhile, in expressing words of optimism for the sector, Chairman of the SKTA Nick Menon pointed out that his agency has had a mixed year as the body has carried out a lot of work internally.
Menon explained that despite those challenges facing the local tourism sector, a bright future is anticipated as they are looking at staving off the troubles affecting the sector.
“Although we have a challenging future ahead of us, we are very optimistic that we can overcome some of the obstacles that are provided to us in the likes of Brexit. The US presidential election, obviously that has had a major impact.”
Despite starting the tourism year with financial challenges, the Chairman intimated that the SKTA has placed itself on “very sound financial footing at this point in time”.
Additionally, for 2016, the Tourism Authority increased the number of persons on the grounds to push its "niche markets" so as to increase awareness of the Federation’s tourism product, especially in the United States and Canada, Menon disclosed.
“It was very important for us to support the airlifts coming into St. Kitts, and the numbers on the flights have been a source of great anxiety in the past. And they have been boosted and increased tremendously over the course of this year, and we are looking forward to a strong year next year as well,” the Chairman said.
Despite the tremendous increase in airlifts, Brown disclosed that the Federation has seen a falloff in arrivals from Miami.
