social and infrastructural services as we are basically boosting activity in the weak months. 3. economic impact data analysis has shown that the multiplier effect of tourism is economic impact economic contribution quite significant. every dollar spent in tourism permeates through direct : indirect : the economy, benefitting various sectors, from agriculture to 12 - 15 % 20 - 25 % transport. estimates suggest that the average gdp per capita gdp per capita impact of an additional $ 100 of tourism expenditure is between every $ 100 short - term : long - term : $ 35 and $ 54 in the short - term, and roughly $ 150 in the long - term. spending by approx. $ 54 approx. $ 150 in other words, in the short - term, as much as 50 percent of tourist tourist : spending translates to gdp, and because of the dynamic effects, that same tourism spending generates 150 percent increase in gdp in the long - term. recommendation : we need to further deepen those economic linkages particularly by strengthening local supply chains. prioritising local suppliers for goods and services will not only keep funds within barbados by reducing imports, but will also enhance the authentic barbadian experience our visitors seek. 2 | page 4. digital engagement our digital metrics depict a clear trend : tourists are increasingly relying on online platforms to plan, book, and share their experiences. here are some of the changes we observe. booking behavior is changing : according to google, over 85 percent of holiday bookings in 2019 were made online, while emarketer reported that in 2019, over 60 percent of travelers worldwide used their smartphones to book their accommodations and flight tickets. the role of social media is changing : a report by globalwebindex in 2019 showed that around 40 percent of internet users between 16 to 24 years of age used social media to research products, which includes travel - related services. similarly, a survey by turnto networks showed that around 90 percent of consumers indicated that user - generated content influenced their purchasing decisions more than promotional emails and search engine results. reviews and recommendations matter even more : tripadvisor reported that in 2019 that they had an average of 456 million monthly users, indicating a vast number of tourists rely on reviews to plan their trips. according to brightlocal ’ s 2019 local consumer review survey, 90 percent of respondents used the internet to find a local business in the last year, with 33 percent looking every day. content sharing is critical : instagram

, with its 2. 4 billion active users, has seen a rise in travel - related hashtags and influencer collaborations. # travel was one of the most popular hashtags on the platform. statista reported that by the end of 2020, around 40 percent of worldwide travellers were under the age of 33, emphasising the importance of platforms like instagram and tiktok in sharing experiences. recommendation : these statistics highlight the transition from traditional travel planning methods to a more digital, integrated, and interconnected approach. therefore, we must embrace technology. an online presence is no longer optional, it ’ s a matter of survival! engage with visitors through social media, offer online bookings, and encourage online reviews. 5. building resilience amidst global challenges with the unforeseen challenges like the covid pandemic, the data indicates that the industry is somewhat resilient, as we were able to rebound relatively quickly. however, it did take two years and we are not yet back to peak levels, and so we need to further strengthen that resilience. arrivals in 2022 : distance from 2019 levels cuba montserrat bermuda percentage above 2019 arrivals cayman islands british virgin islands dominica st. vincent & the grenadines belize anguilla barbados bahamas grenada saint lucia suriname antigua & barbuda cancun recommendation : develop contingency plans based on data - driven scenarios. this will ensure that we are not just reactive, but proactive in our strategies. guyana jamaica aruba martinique curacao dominican republic percentage below 2019 arrivals puerto rico st. maarten us virgin islands - 80 % - 60 % - 40 % - 20 % 0 % 20 % 40 % 60 % 80 % 6. finally, data analytics requires data! as we chart a course towards an even brighter future, the importance of comprehensive, accurate, and timely data is paramount. i urge each one of you to prioritise and enhance the quality and breadth of the data you provide not only to the bhta but to the other data collection agencies. we ( the collective 3 | page agencies ) are poised to harness the power of data analytics to better understand, predict, and support the sustainability and growth of our industry. your collaboration in this endeavour not only aids in tailoring policies for our collective success, but also fortifies our commitment to maintaining barbados as a premier and sustainable tourist destination. together, through informed decisions, we can shape the trajectory of our cherished tourism