1. OVERVIEW OF CARIBBEAN TOURISM PERFORMANCE - 2009 -
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OVERVIEW OF CARIBBEAN TOURISM PERFORMANCE

2. INTRODUCTION
Year 2009 marked by declines in stay-over numbers arriving from most markets
Cruise arrivals should small but positive growth
Evidence of falling total visitor spending
Hotel metrics showed worst performance in a long while
Visitor activity still high and slowly improving

3. Tourist Arrivals to the Caribbean ('000)
MARKETS
2006
2007
2008 e
2009
%ch 09/08
Total Arrivals
22,205.3
22,889.8
22,906.0
21,950.0
-4.2
United States
11,487.9
11,790.9
11,534.4
10,941.1
-5.1
Canada
1,827.5
2,084.7
2,402.8
2,547.1
6.0
Europe
5,386.3
5,549.5
5,435.1
5,140.0
-5.4
Other
3,503.6
3,464.7
3,533.7
3,321.8
-6.0
Stayover Expenditure
25.3
27.0
25.0 
 21.4
-10.4 
Cruise Passengers
18,930.8
19,363.1
18,881.1
19,100.0
1.2
Source: CTO Member Countries and CTO estimates

4. US and Canadian markets
US arrivals to the C’bean declined by 5% in but showed steady improvement over the four quarters
Canadian market remained bouyant throughout the year with an overall 6% increase
Despite economies still under stress these markets are showing some encouraging signs

5. European Performance European markets continued to perform sluggishly
Arrivals to the C’bean declined by 5.4% in but showed less steady improvement over the four quarters
Airlift has been reduced or managed by the major airlines to achieve profitability

6. Mainly Declines
US arrivals to the C’bean declined by 5% in but showed steady improvement over the four quarters
Cruise arrivals showed positive but modest growth over the year
Evidence of falling total visitor spending
Hotel metrics showed worst performance in a long while
Visitor activity still high and slowly improving

7. Visitor Arrivals & Expenditure 2000 – 2009

8. Visitor Spending and Effects
Average visitor spending is reportedly falling at a faster rate than arrivals themselves
Many C’bean governments seeing increasing fiscal difficulties due to falling tourism tax revenues
Hotel revenues showed worst performance in several years
Negative employment impacts increase
General slow down in economic activity.

9. CHANGE IN CARIBBEAN HOTEL OCCUPANCY AND ROOM REVENUE STATUS 2007 - 2009
* Smith Travel Research

10. Conclusion
General slow down in Caribbean economic activity result of global economic crisis.
Tourism downturn is a major contributor.
Numbers while showing improvement over the year still negative and subject to the vagaries of the industry
Prudent planning and aggressive pursuit of markets and business still imperative