2023 figures released by the Department of Statistics (see related story) provided some interesting information. Stay-over guests and cruise passengers increased by respectively 6% and 56% compared to 2022.
Based on the Tourist Exit Survey at the airport and harbour, 42% were repeat visitors. Of these, 46% came at least five times and 8% first did so on a ship.
Among cruise passengers, 46% had visited before, of which 17% once, 26% twice, 21% three, 13% four and 23% five times. All this translates to pretty decent return and so-called conversion rates.
Regarding accommodations, 51% reported choosing hotels, 18% timeshare, 11% alternatives like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, etcetera, and 9% condos/villas. While resorts still dominate, it appears local competition is rising.
The average stay was seven days and the daily amount spent US $149. However, Europeans stayed an average 13 days.
The highest average daily expenditures came from US visitors ($161.67), when excluding persons who did not report their area of residence. This was followed by the Caribbean ($137.15), Canada ($129.31), “other” regions comprising African and Asian countries ($123.61), Europe ($94.04) and Latin America ($52.77).
On average, 52% of the respondents’ money was spent on jewellery, 10% on food and beverages, 7% on tobacco, 6% on other goods and 5% on both land attractions and taxis.
These numbers aren’t necessarily earth-shattering, but do offer a useful tool to develop policies and strategies regarding the country’s all-important hospitality industry. They allow for a more data-driven approach.
