1998
Visitors arrivals recorded a 2.6 percent decline over the year. The continued drop in excursionists influenced the slow growth and decline in total visitors arrivals. Visitors arrivals has not surpassed the 1995 record of 68,838.
The bulk of arrivals, 55.9 percent continues to originate from the Caribbean Market with the French West-Indies contributing 50.7 percent of visitors. The United States, the second leading market, capturing this position from Europe since 1996, accounted for 21.3 percent of visitors this year. Europe registered 18.2 percent with France contributing 48.1 percent of the market.
Over the year however only the Caribbean Market recorded an increase; still a slight 0.2 percent. All other major markets registered decreases with the largest, 10.8 percent reflected in the European Market.
Air arrivals accounted for 69.7 percent of total visitors. Melville Hall, taking over as the main airport from last year recorded 82.6 percent air visitors. LIAT, continues to dominate the airline market, transporting 50.6 percent of visitors by air. The American Eagle, the second largest carrier recording a slight percentage decrease in 1997, has regained its 27 percent market share this year. Air Gaudeloupe has been recording steady growth and after a four-year decline, the airline transported 7.8 percent of air visitors this year.
Sea visitors registered 20,267 the lowest since 1993. The Roseau sea port remains the main port of entry accounting for approximately 96 percent of sea visitors. Over the last two years the Portsmouth sea port, to the north, registered about 3 percent of sea visitors.
Tourist arrivals increased slightly by 0.1 percent, over the year. The Caribbean market increased by 2.3 percent, while the European and United States market recorded decreases of 4.1 and 2 percent respectively.
The 4-7 day has been the most popular length of stay for the last three years. Holiday tourists continue to account for about 81 to 83 percent of arrivals whilst business tourists have remained at a stable 12 percent since 1995.
The percentage of tourists choosing hotels as accommodation has been declining steadily since 1994; moving from 27 percent in 1994 to 18.5 in 1998. Conversely guesthouses and apartments have been growing steadily for the same period moving from 19.3 percent in 1994 to 21 percent in 1997. For this year, private homes recorded 56.6 percent of tourists, the highest percentage registered over the last eight years. This affected the number for all paid accommodation, which consequently recorded the lowest percentage in hotels, 18.5, guesthouses, 9.6 and apartment cottages, 4.1. The highest percentage of non-nationals was also recorded this year, accounting for 87.4 percent of all tourists.
Excursionists continues to decrease recording the sharpest annual decline this year.
Total passenger arrivals decreased by 1.1 percent attributed to the 4.1 percent decrease in air arrivals. However, sea arrivals increased by 7.1 percent. Cruise calls increased by 9.8 percent while passengers rose by 6.1 percent over the year. The first quarter remains the most popular months for cruise arrivals, registering 40.3 percent of calls.
