CSME - Tourism Services

For many regional economies Tourism is a major economic driver and has become the most important productive sector in terms of contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and foreign exchange earnings. In a region where high levels of unemployment continue to be a major concern, it provides significant employment opportunities; its linkages adding value in other economic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and handicraft.  This sector has served as a catalyst for development in several other areas of the economy, including ancillary services and infrastructure - especially air and seaports and roads. It has also facilitated the conservation and preservation of local heritage and culture and improvement of product and service standards, especially in the food services industry.

The Tourism Sector has been identified as one of the key economic growth drivers in the CARICOM’s Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2019.  In this context, CARICOM Heads of Government approved the recommendation of  the Commission on the Economy that this sector be  considered  an early growth driver which could provide significant spin-off linkages with others sectors, namely:

construction (via expanding the accommodation and entertainment facilities and related infrastructure);
agriculture and agro-processing (to support increased demand for food and other products for the tourism industry); and
energy particularly through a targeted renewable energy programme (aimed at reducing dependence on imported fuel and promoting a new industry activity.