The Caribbean tourism industry is primed to “flourish” with a “strong winter rebound,” according to Nicola Madden-Greig, the new president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. 

The pronouncement comes as the Caribbean continues to recover faster than any other tourism industry worldwide, with a projected rise in tourism contribution to GDP of more than 47 percent this year. 

The region’s forecast increase represents a jump of nearly $12 billion, according to the CHTA. 

“The worst of it has been contained,” Madden-Greig said. “We have been extremely successful in implementing such protocols as shown by the low positivity rate of returning travelers, and there has been little evidence of visitors needing care in local hospitals. “This means that we have successfully leveraged our protocols to protect team members, visitors and the wider community.”

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism’s contribution to the Caribbean economy could see a further year-over-year rise of 28.7 percent in 2022 — a boost of $10 billion. 

“We’re ready and able to receive visitors safely,” Madde-Greig said.