Tourism occupancy in Barbados is inching closer to pre-pandemic levels, but existing travel protocols are affecting the country’s competitiveness as a holiday destination.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Rudy Grant revealed that there was a 20 per cent increase in December 2021 when occupancy rose to 65.8 per cent over the same period in 2020. However, it remained nearly 10 per cent short of the 75.7 per cent recorded in December 2019, months before the pandemic struck.
Making matters worse, according to Grant, is the fact that revenues are approximately 43 per cent of the numbers recorded in 2019.
He noted that the recent five match T20 series between England and West Indies was particularly profitable for “A” and “B” Class hotels and Direct Tourism Services (DTS) like car rental companies and restaurants.
