Caribbean tourism sees surge in bookings due to cricket

Cricket mania is proving to be a blessing for the Caribbean tourism industry as some of the islands hosting upcoming matches are reporting near fully booked flights and hotels.

Tourism officials from Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados are beaming with excitement about the benefits that their economies will receive in the coming months due to hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and England tour.

Colin James, chief executive officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, said the country’s tourism sector is set to break records due to the influx of visitors.

“Over 4,000 visitors are coming in. We have Australia, we have England, we have Scotland. We have the countries that are walking with the large fan bases. And then right after that, Fair Play Women’s Cricket. Then right after that, CPL and Carnival. And then in November, you have England touring the West Indies again, and England does not tour the West Indies unless they play in Antigua,” he said.

“So it’s going to be a phenomenal year. You can tell that I’m excited and I’m enthusiastic because a lot of the hard work that the teams have put in is now beginning to bear fruit and really, really set the pace and the trends going forward.”

CEO of Barbados Tourism Andrea Franklin said local and international support for cricket at the historic Kensington Oval is resounding and adding to the boost of economic activity that the island is experiencing.

“Barbados is getting ready to welcome the world for the ICC Cricket T20 Men’s Tournament. Our first game in Barbados is actually a few days away, June 2. And we will also be hosting nine games and then the finals on June 29. So far, I’m being told that the tickets for the finals are almost sold out,” she said.

Anyone unlucky enough to score a ticket can still get in on the action.

“You certainly can come to the island and experience [Barbados]. We have a number of fan zones and fun zones. So, it would be one big party on the island. We have screens set up across various locations. So, even if persons can’t get into the actual stadium to watch the game, there will be activity around the entire island during the period of all the games that we are hosting on the destination.”

Franklin added that Bajans are ready to welcome the world and will shower visitors with the hospitality that the island is known for.