Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Launches Local Sourcing Study

Commissioning a six-month research study led by Florida International University to analyze economic leakages and local supply chains, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is mapping the footprint of 35 million stayover visitors.

The Core Transit Update

Regional trade corridors and supply chain routes across Caribbean cruise ports and holiday destinations are under review. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has partnered with the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) to conduct a multi-destination demand study.

The study will examine at least six jurisdictions to measure how the estimated US$40 billion in visitor spending generated in 2025 moves through local economies. By mapping the supply chains of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and cruise operators, the project aims to identify leakages and evaluate the capacity of local agriculture, manufacturing, and creative sectors to meet industry needs.

Sourcing Studies & University Research Profiles

Analyzing the economic footprint of tourism requires comparing global academic studies. The following tables outline the active research profiles of participating universities and summarize the baseline Caribbean tourism indicators.

Participating Research University	Country / Region	Principal Tourism Research Focus	Relevance to Caribbean Sourcing Project
Florida International University	United States	Hospitality and tourism research	Conducting six-month multi-destination study
University of Surrey	United Kingdom	Demand forecasting & economic impacts	Uses vector autoregressive models across 24 countries
Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Hong Kong	Tourism economics & Small Island SIDS	Input-output and computable general equilibrium models
Griffith University	Australia	Visitor analytics & regional economics	Local value added and destination planning

Universities conducting comparable tourism economics and destination impact studies.

Caribbean Tourism Metric Indicator	Stated 2025 Baseline Value	Strategic Economic Role & Target
Stayover Visitor Volume	Estimated 35 million visitors	Drives primary demand for food and services
Total Inbound Expenditure	Estimated over US$40 billion	Main revenue pipeline subject to leakage study
Research Study Timeline	Six months duration	Commissioned by CHTA to map local supply lines
Participating Jurisdictions	At least six destinations	Represents all-inclusive, cruise, and boutique hubs

Caribbean tourism demand and economic baseline metrics.

Traveler Logistics Guide

From a ground-level perspective, the best way to navigate this is to seek out locally owned boutique hotels and farm-to-table dining experiences when booking your next Caribbean vacation, as supporting businesses that source ingredients from regional farmers directly reduces the import leakages highlighted in the CHTA study. Checking local sourcing certifications is recommended.

To plan your Caribbean itinerary:

Allow Safe Flight Connections: If you are planning to island-hop between boutique markets and larger cruise hubs, allow at least three hours of layover buffer at regional airports to manage immigration and customs clearances.
Observe Destination Categories: The study covers at least six jurisdictions representing all-inclusive markets, cruise ports, and boutique destinations. Choose islands that align with your interest in community-based heritage.
Explore Creative Experiences: Support the local creative economy by booking entertainment, historical guides, and artisan craft tours directly through certified community co-ops.
Observe Health and Safety Rules: When purchasing agricultural products at regional markets, check local customs regulations if you plan to transport fresh produce between islands.

Infrastructure Impact Assessment

The mapping of trade routes and the development of regional sourcing networks protect local farmers and creative workers from seasonal tourism swings.

By directing hotel and restaurant procurement to domestic agricultural networks, the CHTA-FIU study—complemented by academic research models at Hong Kong PolyU, Surrey, Griffith, Queensland, Otago, and Bournemouth—helps reduce reliance on imported food, increases local employment, and ensures that tourism growth supports sustainable economic development.