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Tourist arrival numbers confuse, as recession deepens
The Turks and Caicos Tourist board is providing numbers on tourist arrivals; however, the information is highly reminiscent of figures provided by the former Director of Tourism Wayne Garland starting in 2007, when the tourist ministry was expending a budget in excess of $10 million.
It has been reported that the Board once again cannot give accurate numbers. They now explain that this has something to do with a change in the forms used. However, again there is an emphasis on cruise ship arrival numbers being on the increase. While this is welcome news, it is only somewhat helpful to Grand Turk, where the cruise ships arrive. Passengers on cruise ships usually dine and reside on board and have a very limited time on island to spend with local merchants.
The appearance of exaggerating the arrival numbers was seen when Channel 8 PTV attempted to assess the arrival figures. Much attention and coverage was given to the cruise ship passengers as a result of information reportedly provided by Ralph Higgs, the Tourist Board head. Minimal information was provided on Provo hotel stay-over arrivals.
The numbers of longer term stay-over tourists using the hotels and restaurants, when and if available, will provide an accurate picture of the health of the tourist industry here.
Recently taxi drivers have been complaining of fewer than the expected number of passengers. Also merchants are bemoaning lower income from Christmas shoppers.
It is, however, too soon properly to evaluate the status of the 2009/2010 tourist season. Guest arrivals from Thanksgiving through Christmas do not necessarily predict the outcome of the peak season of January through April.
The Hotel Association and local observers are concerned, however, and they cannot understand why accurate numbers cannot be provided on a season by season and year by year basis.
One business man told TCI Net News that he feels the results of the late 2009 season are far from normal.
He and others interviewed believe the Tourist Board is still “fudging” the numbers and until genuine numbers of the two separate categories of cruise ship arrivals versus hotel guests is provided it will be difficult to evaluate the state of this vital industry.
In the last 60 days, Delton Jones, the permanent secretary of finance, was optimistic he would be able to balance the monthly budget; however, one month later he reported that income was down. This may be indicative of weak tourist arrivals and other factors.
Funds going into the economy, which reach permanent residents’ purses, remain in the economy and provide additional revenue through built in duty charges reflected in the price of goods. With the new national health care plan siphoning off more than $1 million per month and tight-fisted residents not willing to pay the elevated costs of goods, which reflect increased duty, freight and freight handling charges by the Provo Stevedoring, appears to have reduced the revenue collected.
On New Year’s Eve, one employed professional single mother, with two teenage daughters, told TCI Net News she was laying out $300 per week for food for her family. “All these increased charges escalate the cost of all goods we need to live on; all my money is now spent for food. Furthermore I feel I must continue to purchase health insurance as my faith in the new system is minimal,” she said.
