The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, and options for a sustainable and resilient recovery

Since April, tourism in the region has almost come to a temporary standstill as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This temporary paralysis has not only hit Caribbean economies and employment hard, but also many local communities in Latin America. Tourism accounts for half of services exports in Latin America and the Caribbean and represents significant shares of gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. An impact scenario shows that the slump in tourism may cause total GDP growth in the Caribbean and Latin America to fall by 8 percentage points and 1 percentage point,…

Recovery measures for the tourism sector in Latin America and the Caribbean present an opportunity to promote sustainability and resilience

Desde abril de 2020, el turismo en la región se ha detenido temporalmente como resultado de la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19). Esta parálisis no solo ha afectado duramente a las economías y el empleo del Caribe, sino también a muchas comunidades locales de América Latina. En este informe se examina la contribución del turismo a las exportaciones, el producto interno bruto (PIB) y el empleo, así como la reciente disminución de esta actividad en la región. Un escenario del impacto muestra que la caída del turismo podría llevar a una disminución del crecimiento del PIB total…

Tourism in Central America and the Dominican Republic in the face of digital technologies: Challenges and opportunities for MSMEs

Tourism micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) recognize the importance of digital tools to attract tourists, showcase the company and sell products and services. However, they make basic use of these tools to communicate and promote the company, missing opportunities to improve their competitiveness, productivity and sustainability. This study analyses the state of the digital transformation of tourism MSMEs in the member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA), both their internal capacities and external conditions that affect their ability to innovate. The study …

An analysis of the art and craft sector and its potential for sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean

Art and craft is considered to be an integral part of the tourism business, since it plays an important role as souvenirs and mementos, thereby spatially and temporarily expanding the visitor experience. It is also increasingly looked upon as an opportunity to diversify the tourism sector offerings, as well as the broader economic base. As part of the overall global creative economy, the art and craft sector has seen consistent trade growth over the past two decades, and has shown the capacity to forge even stronger linkages with the tourism sector. This paper examines the nature of this relat…

The case for financing: Caribbean resilience building in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only been sudden but has required significant re-adjustment on the part of world economies with far-reaching effects anticipated in the short to medium term. For vulnerable Caribbean economies already challenged by high debt service payments, external support is needed to fill the resource gap. The objective of this report is to assess the impact of the pandemic imposed restrictions across six critical sectors and to provide policy recommendations to ensure a swift recovery and make a case for greater external concessional financial support to the…

Skill WAVE: Workshop for Action, Vision and Entrepreneurship - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

ECLAC Caribbean will be hosting a series of capacity building workshops, meant to build entrepreneurship skills among target groups in each country. The workshops should provide tools necessary to enhance entrepreneurship and related business activities, specifically targeted toward youth and female entrepreneurs.…

Skill WAVE: Workshop for Action, Vision and Entrepreneurship - Saint Kitts and Nevis

ECLAC Caribbean will be hosting a series of capacity building workshops, meant to build entrepreneurship skills among target groups in each country. The workshops should provide tools necessary to enhance entrepreneurship and related business activities, specifically targeted toward youth and female entrepreneurs.…

Caribbean in Brief: an information document for Caribbean Small Island Developing States

This brief is intended to provide general information on the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference on scaling up ocean actions based on science and innovation for the implementation of Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), with a view to stimulating more active, engaged participation of the Caribbean in the discussions. The United Nations Ocean Conference will be co-chaired by Kenya and Portugal, and hosted by the Government of Portugal in Lisbon, during 2021. The objective of this conference is consistent with the 2017 UN General Assembly proclamation on the Decade of Oce…

Skill WAVE: Workshop for Action, Vision and Entrepreneurship - Antigua and Barbuda

ECLAC Caribbean will be hosting a series of capacity building workshops, meant to build entrepreneurship skills among target groups in each country. The workshops should provide tools necessary to enhance entrepreneurship and related business activities, specifically targeted toward youth and female entrepreneurs.…

Handbook for estimating the socio-economic and environmental effects of disasters

Skill WAVE: Workshop for Action, Vision and Entrepreneurship - Grenada

ECLAC Caribbean will be hosting a series of capacity building workshops, meant to build entrepreneurship skills among target groups in each country. The workshops should provide tools necessary to enhance entrepreneurship and related business activities, specifically targeted toward youth and female entrepreneurs.…

SIDS 4: Now or never for small island survival

Strategies for Post COVID-19 Recovery in the Caribbean

Main challenges for cruise industry in the Caribbean

Special Session at the Conference Cartagena dialogue on “Cruise, Ports and Cities”…

Strategies for increasing economic resilience in the Caribbean

Be Ready: Building a Resilient Future for Tourism

A Roadmap for Business and Community Growth This infographic outlines key strategies for sustainable business development and community empowerment. It highlights essential steps to enhance data collection, expand into niche markets, and reduce operational costs, while also addressing skills gaps and integrating sustainable practices. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities, investing in infrastructure, and preparing comprehensive crisis management plans. These actions together form a blueprint for boosting business resilience and fostering community love.…

A Blue Path for the Caribbean: Ocean Sustainability for Prosperity and Resilience

Climate change and challenges for tourism in Central America

Tourism has been a very dynamic activity worldwide over the last fifteen years (until the 2008-2009 economic crisis);. Some developing countries have been very active in promoting this activity and have been successful. Among these countries are several from the Central American region, where tourism accounted for more than 8% of Costa Rican and Panamanian GDP in 2006. Tourism is a very broad activity, which includes leisure, business and family visits, but statistics for this region do not allow a distinction between these categories. Some countries are more specialized in leisu…