To accommodate cruise megaships, some islands are investing in expanded port facilities, creating jobs while seeking to attract more visitors. Improvements in airports and roads often lag behind, to the frustration of hotel and resort operators, because arrival by ship is usually the most economical, and passengers spend money throughout the community, not just at one resort.
According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), tourist dollars poured in to the Caribbean, from $14 billion in 1995 to $20 billion in 2000, and they continued to grow until September 11. After a period of decline, revenues again rose and are expected to be up significantly by 2010.
Serving cruise ship passengers raises tax revenue and creates jobs. Duty-free shopping with quality goods from around the world make the islands attractive trading partners. Restaurants promoting local cuisine and planning menus around what's in season support island farmers.
As a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), tourism commerce is vital to islands like Anguilla, accounting for 75 percent, the Cayman Islands (60 percent) and St. Lucia (55 percent).
The CTO conservatively estimated in 2002 that more than 900,000 persons worked directly or indirectly in tourism, with 300,000 in hotels alone. To cite one example, Jamaica's Sandals Resort Farmers Program went in 1996 from 10 farmers supplying two hotels to 80 farmers in 2004 supplying hotels island-wide. Sales increased from $60,000 to $3.3 million in just 3 years, while the hotels received higher-quality produce for less than it would cost to import.
Hotels that buy local---produce, decorations, furnishings---set themselves apart in guests' minds. Providing unique experiences encourages longer stays and possibly entire vacations on one island.
Jamaica's crime problem once caused cruise lines to temporarily drop it as a port of call. Jamaica addressed the issue and today boasts an inviting, safe restaurant/boutique complex near the cruise ship dock in Ocho Rios called Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten began as a quiet place with few attractions. Today, it has a bustling airport, and Phillipsburg, the Dutch capital, rivals the region's shopping mecca, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Oistins Fish Fry, a year-round weekend event on Barbados, provides opportunities and income to local craftspeople, farmers, fishermen and vendors who sell their wares to thousands of inhabitants and tourists.
Trinidad's annual Carnival is largest of all the islands'. That event alone brings in more than 10 percent of the island's annual tourist revenue, according to Pro-PoorTourism.org.uk.
Other islands capitalize on musical heritage to bring in tourists. St. Lucia has a Jazz Festival, and Dominica hosts the World Creole Music Festival.
