THE BAHAMAS (Feb. 16, 2017)Caribbean tourism fared well in 2016, and industry stakeholders are generally upbeat about the year ahead, despite the fact that many hoteliers were forced to adjust their high performance expectations for 2016 as the year progressed because of unforeseen events.

Announcing the results of the second annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Industry Performance and Outlook Study,Frank Comito, director general and CEO of the private sector association, stated that more than four out of five (81 percent) hoteliers have an encouraging outlook.

Comito explained that the survey,conducted by CHTA, was undertaken to assist the organization in gaining a better understanding of the state of the tourism economy, its outlook, and the degree to which a number of factors impact or may affect the tourism industry.

The survey, administeredduring the first two weeks of this year, polleda representative sampling of hotels throughout the Caribbean of varying sizes and categories, and looked at their 2016 performance and 2017 expectations for factorsin areassuch as employment levels, revenue, profits, capital spending, room occupancy and room rates, each forming the basis for assessing the state of the tourism economy.

In 2016, hoteliers reported an even split on revenue performance, with 47 percent recording an increase and a similar percentage reporting a decrease. Although expectations for the yearwere higher initially, last years mixed performance came after an exceptionalyear for Caribbean tourism in 2015.

Hoteliers entered 2016 with high performance expectations, but these were tempered as a combination of unanticipated factors surfaced during the year, said Comito. These events included a warmer than usual winter in the regions primary feeder markets, Canadian and UK exchange rates, Brexit, the threat ofZika and political and economic certainty in parts of the world, according to the survey respondents.

Despite these developments, the profitability picture improved over the previous year, with most hotels registering a net profit in 2016. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported a net profit, whereas 22percent reported a net loss. Looking ahead, in 2017 more than two-thirds (67 percent) anticipate an increase in revenue, and 56 percent expect a slight improvement in profits.

It was encouraging to note that approximately 55 percent of hotels also increased capital expenditures in 2016, with a quarterof those investing more than 10 percent over what they did in 2015. This is a positive sign and an indication of long-term confidence by Caribbean hoteliers in the industry, reported Comito.

Althoughroom occupancy decreased for just more than half (51 percent) of the reporting hotels, a notable proportion (29 percent)reported an increase in occupancy. More hoteliers are optimistic for 2017, with two-thirds expecting an increase in occupancy.

Despite the fact that average daily room rates were reduced by 45 percent of hotels, as many as 42 percent increased their rates. This year, approximately 55 percent of hoteliers expect to increase ADRs whereas only 15 percent expect downward pressure on rates.

It is important to note that employment levels were maintained by 55 percentof survey respondentsin 2016, whereas only 17 percent reduced staffing levels, anda sizable proportion (28 percent) hired more staff. This pattern is anticipated to continue in 2017.

Despite the mixed results in 2016, hoteliersappear to begenerallyoptimistic about the year ahead.

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Caribbean hoteliers predict positive tourism performance for 2017 - Amsterdam News