Caribbean Tourism Feeling Impact of War

Fears of terrorist attacks linked to the Persian Gulf War, along with a slowdown in the U.S. economy, are wreaking havoc on the Caribbean’s multibillion-dollar tourist industry.

Tour operators and airlines estimate a 20% to 30% drop in business since the war broke out, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

For the Caribbean, the slump comes at the worst time. This is the peak of the winter season, when rates are high and affluent tourists usually flock to the islands.

But jets are flying in from Miami and New York City with scores of empty seats. American Airlines, which flies to 18 Caribbean resorts, reported a 20% decline in bookings to the region in January. Pan American World Airways said its flights to the Caribbean from New York City were less than 70% full, and from Miami less than 60%.

Travel-related businesses in the area, from beach resorts to gift shops, are feeling the impact. Similarly, some car-rental agencies in Puerto Rico are selling off part of their fleets and many hotels are laying off workers.

Travel Quiz: Yellowstone National Park, which opened in 1872, is the nation’s oldest national park. Which is the youngest? (Answer below.)

Breaking the Ice: For those who happen to have a spare $30,000 or so lying around the house and want to take part in a little bit of nautical travel history, two trips come quickly to mind.

Both can be taken aboard the Sovetskiy Soyuz, a Soviet nuclear-powered ice-breaker, which will carry passengers for the first time on a 21-day voyage through the Northeast Passage from Provideniya to Murmansk, Aug. 18 to Sept. 9.

More adventurous still is the ship’s planned trans-polar sailing across the Arctic Ocean via the North Pole from July 26 to Aug. 16. The cost of each trip ranges from $25,000 to $32,000 per person.

Freighter World Cruises in Pasadena has more information and a free brochure that can be received by calling (818) 449-3106.

Going Up: Figures compiled by the U.S. Travel Data Center show that the cost of travel in the United States rose 13% in the 12 months that ended Dec. 31, 1990.

The nonprofit center’s monthly “travel price index” takes into account such items as the cost of transportation, lodging and food, and entertainment away from home.

Foreign Gold for Silver State: According to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration, Nevada attracted 1.2 million foreign tourists last year, making it one of the top five destinations in the United States for overseas visitors.

Only California, New York, Florida and Hawaii welcomed more foreign visitors, the survey showed.

Nevada Lt. Gov. Sue Wagner, who chairs the state’s Commission on Tourism, said the number of foreign visitors to Nevada has doubled since 1985.

The increase in the number of Japanese visitors has been especially noticeable, jumping from 78,000 in 1986 to more than 400,000 in 1990, Wagner said.

Quick Fact: In 1989, travel agencies in the United States sold $45.6 billion worth of airline tickets.

From Tel Aviv to Moscow: El Al, the Israeli national airline, has started service between Tel Aviv and Moscow, initially offering 20 weekly charter flights, on Wednesdays, between the two cities.

Moshe Katsav, Israel’s transport minister, said the airline hopes “these charter flights will lead to a permanent air link between Israel and the Soviet Union.”

Yes, But Could It Cross the Atlantic? As part of the city’s planned celebration of the Christopher Columbus Quincentennial, Columbus, Ohio, is constructing a full-scale replica of one of Columbus’ ships, the Santa Maria.

Designed to be as historically accurate as possible, the vessel will be moored off the east bank of the Scioto River, where dedication ceremonies are set for Oct. 12.

New Prague Hotel: Prague’s limited hotel supply has been eased somewhat by the opening of a new 386-room hotel in the Czechoslovak capital.

The Hotel Diplomat is on the edge of the city’s embassy and residential district, within walking distance of Hradcany Castle and a seven-minute subway ride from the city center.

Quick Fact: About 75 languages are spoken in Kenya.

They’re Not Desert Islands: The war in the Persian Gulf has brought all sorts of commercialism thinly disguised as patriotism, but hoteliers in the U.S. Virgin Islands are offering something more commendable.

As part of a “God Bless America Program,” many hotels in the islands are offering “special appreciation” discounts of up to 50% to returning Gulf veterans and their immediate families.

The program is valid April 15 to Dec. 15 on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, and is based on space availability. To qualify, participants must show a copy of their Persian Gulf orders or comparable documentation and a second piece of identification.

The participating hotels include Frenchman’s Reef, Bolongo Bay, and Stouffer Grand in St. Thomas; the Buccaneer, The Waves at Cane Bay, St. Croix by the Sea, and Club St. Croix in St. Croix, and Caneel Bay, the Hyatt Regency at Virgin Grand and Maho Bay Camps in St. John.

Quiz Answer: Samoa National Park, which opened in 1988 in American Samoa.