As the Caribbean Tourism Organization embarks on its annual Tourism Month (November), the organization says its members and partners will be celebrating the theme “Caribbean Comeback” – illustrating that “as a region we are on our way back from the devastating impact of the pandemic.”

Indeed, Barbados-based CTO, which is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership including Dutch, English, French and Spanish-speaking countries in the region, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members, says that record arrivals are even in evidence in some destinations.

“Our member countries have worked tirelessly over the past 19 months to adapt to the ever-evolving environment thrust upon us by the pandemic. They have implemented a range of initiatives, and stringent protocols, to ensure post-Covid competitiveness and to rebuild confidence in the sector,” says the CTO. “One of the very positive signs of recovery, is that as the markets reopen, the region is welcoming an increasing number of flights, including direct service to destinations that are either never had such service before, or have not had direct service for several years.

It continues, “In the third quarter, some of our member destinations recorded arrival numbers that rivalled, and in some instances, surpassed, the corresponding months in 2019. This by no means suggests that we are back to the pre-pandemic record numbers, and we remain fully aware of how quickly things can change with this virus. But it’s an encouraging sign that the Caribbean comeback is on.”

This year’s theme is also meant to deliver an invitation to visitors to “come back to the Caribbean.”

“Come back to the Caribbean that you love and are familiar with, to enjoy again everything that first attracted you to our region. Come back for the warm weather, the cuisine, the outdoors, the culture, the sunsets, the adventure. Come back for weddings and honeymoons, for hiking, the beach, the lakes and waterfalls, the flora and fauna and the friendly and welcoming people,” says the CTO.

In conjunction with members, the CTO is planning a number of social media activities in observance of Caribbean Tourism Month, including a #CaribbeanComeback campaign.

Beyond November, the CTO says it will promote the Caribbean’s appeal as a region for wellness, healing, and rejuvenation and has declared that 2022 will be the year of wellness in the Caribbean.

“As we grapple with the mental and physical toll that COVID-19 has had on us and its effect on our well-being, we offer the Caribbean as the place to come back to for wellness,” says the organization.