Caribbean reports tourism surge, braces for Zika impact
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)_ The Caribbean is reporting a surge in tourism that easily surpassed the global growth rate as it set new arrival and spending records amid concerns the mosquito-borne Zika virus could put a dent in those numbers this year.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization says nearly 29 million people visited the region last year. Officials said Tuesday that represents a 7 per cent jump that surpassed the 4 per cent global tourism growth rate. Visitors spent $30 billion last year, a $1 billion increase from 2014.
The news comes as Latin American and Caribbean countries struggle with an increase in Zika cases. Officials said there have been a “negligible” number of trip cancellations to the Caribbean but did not have a specific figure. Puerto Rico has reported several wedding and business conference cancellations.
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Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora.
Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.
