Nicola Madden-Greig – president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) – said on Wednesday (29 March) the sector continued to face significant challenges despite turning a corner post-Covid. 

“Many businesses are still climbing out of massive debts and facing global competitive pressures on price increase,” she added. 

Madden-Greig’s comments came as the CHTA released the results of its latest tourism performance and outlook survey, which showed how the sector’s recovery could be threatened by rising operating costs and global competition. 

Respondents identified airlift costs, along with taxes and labour shortages, as the main issues affecting them. Businesses, the survey revealed, were also forgoing higher profits to cover their pandemic debts.

Nevertheless, the CHTA president remained confident about the region’s prospects for recovery. “Despite these challenges, the industry remains bullish about the future of tourism in the Caribbean,” she added.