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Down the British

Traveler’s Route

TEXTO: LAURA RODRÍGUEZ LEÓN, LICENCIADA EN TURISMO FOTOS: ARCHIVO EXCELENCIAS

The Ibero-america and the Caribbean region -including all its islands- is an area of immense natural, cultural and patrimonial wealth. It can brag about its immense tourist potential, which makes possible the development of activities as varied as they are attractive.

Traditionally, the British tourist has shown great interest in this region, which has been on the rise over the last five years. In the new POST-COVID-19 normality, this travel market -one of the strongest in the world in terms of both issuance volume and expenditure- continues its upward trend to prefer trips outside the European continent, especially to sunand-beach destinations with all-inclusive vacations, nature and adventure tourism, as well as nautical and cruise travel. They are also looking for trips to visit friends and family members, a target market segment in the post-covid recovery, and there is a growing interest in living local experiences at the utmost.

While it is worth mentioning that the British traveler is initially favoring staycations and such traditional European destinations as Spain for their vacations, since the United Kingdom announced the lifting of the quarantine bookings to Spain have increased by 400%, yet there has also been stepped-up interest in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially the former island territories under British rule.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many travel destinations, including those in the Caribbean, to be placed on the red list of their top outbound markets, meaning that they are destinations considered dangerous because of the pandemic. However, since June 2021, the United Kingdom has changed this listing. In October this year, only 7 countries (all in Latin America) were placed in the red zone,

which means that Britons returning from countries that are not on the red list no longer have to spend quarantine in a hotel. And thanks to the favorable evolution of the epidemiological situation and the high-peak winter season, several destinations, not only in the English-speaking Caribbean but also in Latin America that had been previously restricted to them, such as Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Balearic Islands, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Madeira, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba,

Dominican Republic, among others, have become available, all of which is a great incentive for travel.

These data are encouraging as they show that travel conditions are increasingly favorable. For example, five million Britons visited the Balearic Islands before the COVID-19 pandemic, and these islands are now green-flagged for Britons, who in several interviews upon their arrival in the Balearic Islands said they had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

The establishment of security protocols in each of these destinations and the demand for requirements, such

In the new POST-COVID-19 normality, this travel market -one of the strongest in the world in terms of both issuance volume and expenditure- continues its upward trend to prefer trips outside the European continent, especially to sun-andbeach destinations with all-inclusive vacations, nature and adventure tourism, as well as nautical and cruise travel

as vaccination, quarantine, mandatory testing, travel insurance coverage or some combination of these rules to protect not only travelers but also the population, as well as the gradual opening of compliance with health regulations, are essential to build confidence and continue to encourage travel. Experts believe that British interest in the Caribbean for the winter season remains on a roll.

On the other hand, it is very important to mention an event like the World Travel Market in London (the famous WTM), slated from November 1 to 3, 2021 in the British capital in person, and from November 8 to 9 on a virtual platform. This gathering is considered one of the three largest tourism trade fairs in the world. This event is the best opportunity for both outbound and incoming markets to arrange their operations in the short and long terms. In a context like this, marked by the emergence of the industry after almost two years of pandemic, the occasion is perfect for sun-and-beach tourist destinations in Latin America and the Greater Caribbean (mainly the island territories) to attract travelers seeking a vacation in natural, relaxing and safe environments, among them the much-coveted British market.

As usual, island Caribbean destinations will be well represented at the event, both by their tourism offices and at the Caribbean Tourism Organization booth.

An elaborate and comprehensive strategic planning of the resources available to the countries and an adequate advertising of the facilities in the region are basic to continue luring British tourists, especially considering that this is an organized customer who plans their trip well in advance.

Excelencias brings you closer to these five islands bathed by the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Sea that have traditionally captured the attention of Sons of Albion.

JAMAICA

This is the top travel destination for Britons in the West Indies. It was a land of pirates and nowadays visitors can wallow in a variety of tours that allow them to be connected with the sea, the jungle and the mountainous areas. Visitors can delve into the reggae culture and the places where Bob Marley lived. It has six fundamental travel destinations of wide international recognition: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Port Antonio, Kingston and the South Coast. Travel to Jamaica is allowed except if you have previously visited a country that is considered high risk. Travelers must present a negative PCR test and a valid international certificate of vaccination.

BARBADOS

This is one of the most important destinations in the Caribbean for highincome tourism. It has an extensive hotel network located mainly on the west and south sides of the island. It is one of the small Caribbean nations that reels in more tourists by air, most of them coming from the UK. It preserves the traditional practice of cricket and the consumption of tea. Golf and the observation of fish, corals and shipwrecks, with a tour in the Atlantis Submarine, rank among the top options. A typical culinary delight is the flying fish. Being this island one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean, its government had taken on a number of health protocols before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

ARUBA

Aruba's main tourist corridor is the coastal area extending from Oranjestad to California Point, on the northwestern tip of the island. With its wide, warm beaches, this area has panned out to be the center of tourism growth. It has a unique scenic beauty, which respects the existing desert landscape and native vegetation. Hotels are clustered in two main areas: the large hotel zone of Palm Beach and the low-rise hotel area in Eagle Beach and Punta Brabo. Aruba has already vaccinated more than 75% of the population against COVID-19, and

released protocols for the safe opening of tourism under the name "Aruba Health and Happiness Code".

CANARY ISLANDS/SPAIN

They are known as "the sun of Europe" and stand out for their warm temperatures and natural environment, with five of their islands having been declared Biosphere Reserves. In its beaches, tourists can revel in nautical sports, such as windsurfing and scuba diving. Its amazing landscapes encourage hiking, cycling, climbing and caving. Among the most striking features, the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote, the dune beaches of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria or the green forests of La Palma and La Gomera are standouts. Recently, La Palma's Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted, causing great damage and changes in the geological structure, which will have a direct impact on tourism on this island in the near future and poses a challenge to the recovery of the territory.

ANGUILLA

This British overseas territory has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters in the world. There are boat trips, diving and snorkeling, plus other to-dos to enjoy a great variety of exotic marine species. From April to November, green turtle watching occurs, while bird watching along the coastline is increasingly catching on. It also offers contact with art, luxury and history, as the Wallblake House -a sugarcane plantation farmhouse built in the 18th centurystill remains intact, as well as several sunken ships that can be explored. At the reopening, this destination only exempts pregnant women and children under 18 years of age from presenting proof of vaccination. The rest must be fully vaccinated with Astrazeneca, Pfizer, Janssen or Moderna jabs and present a negative PCR test.

In the ongoing context, marked by emergency in the industry following two years of pandemic, timing is right for sun-andbeach destinations in Ibero-america and the Caribbean -especially the island nations- to reel in travelers eager to enjoy natural, laidback and safe environments

SPECIAL

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2021-11-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-02T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://revistasexcelencias.pressreader.com/article/281646783362638

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