Markets

This is the Caribbean’s Most Competitive Tourism Economy

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - May 19, 2015

Above: Barbados (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

What’s the most competitive tourism economy in the Caribbean?

It’s Barbados, according to the latest edition of the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report.

The report, which covers 141 economies in the $7 trillion travel global sector, is published every two years.

And while Barbados is not the most-visited destination in the Caribbean (an honor that belongs to the Dominican Republic), it got the top spot due to strong rankings on its prioritization of travel and tourism, environmental sustainability and ground and port infrastructure, among other categories.

The report analyzes economies on a total of 14 different “pillars” organized into four subindexes: Enabling Environment, Travel and Tourism Policy and Enabling Conditions, Infrastructure and Natural and Cultural Resources.

The pillars, which included everything from country brand strategy rating to the reliability of police services, are then calculated based on data from the WEF’s Executive Opinion Survey and other quantitative data.

The next-highest ranked Caribbean economy was Puerto Rico at 55th in the world, followed by Trinidad and Tobago (69), Jamaica (76), the Dominican Republic (81) Suriname (101), Guyana (104) and Haiti (133).

Spain and France were the world’s first and second-ranked countries.

As is typical of World Economic Forum reports, it did not include a number of the Caribbean’s smaller-population countries.

Popular Posts best caribbean restaurants

The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean - 2025

No region in the world has a more diverse or dynamic culinary continuum than the Caribbean. Just about every cuisine on earth is represented, often in wonderfully, intoxicatingly fused expressions. Across the breadth of the Caribbean Basin, you will find […]


American Airlines Is Launching Flights to an Uncrowded Caribbean Island With White-Sand Beaches, Bonefishing and a New Luxury Resort

american airlines caribbean island south

There are white sand beaches. There is abundant bonefishing. But the biggest thing about the island of South Caicos in Turks and Caicos is that indescribable feeling of romance, of adventure. The way you feel when you really travel far […]


The Southern Corner of This Caribbean Island Is Filled With Endless Beaches, a Boutique Resort and a Spirit of Adventure    

eleuthera caribbean island

You can get lost out here. There are nearly 4,500 acres of Bahamian frontier here, filled with casuarinas, empty trails and secluded white-sand beaches. Take a golf cart, or a bicycle or, if you’re daring, just a pair of running […]


Related Posts a beach in montego bay, jamaica

In Montego Bay, an “Immersive,” All-Inclusive Weekend of Rum, Reggae and the Flavors of Jamaica 

Bold rum. Loud reggae. Vibrant spices. If you’ve been to Jamaica, you know the dynamism of its culture — and its hospitality. Now, the island’s top hotel is launching a new way to experience the most famous facets of Jamaica […]


The Island of Dominica Has Hiking Trails, Hot Springs, Waterfalls and InterContinental’s Top Caribbean Resort

dominica island caribbean

Dominica isn’t the kind of island that screams for attention. It doesn’t need to. With its lush mountains, secret waterfalls, and untamed spirit, the Nature Island whispers — and for those who listen, the rewards are unforgettable. Now, that whisper has […]


Caribbean Airline LIAT 20 Is Now Flying Every Day of the Week 

rockley

Antigua. Barbuda. Dominica. Barbados. Grenada. Jamaica. They’re just some of the Caribbean islands upstart carrier LIAT 20 is now serving, and the carrier just upped its frequency.  LIAT 20 is now flying around the Caribbean seven days of the week, […]