Dear Future Tourism Discussion Participants, We would like to thank you for your valuable contributions to the FutureTourism (FUT-Tourism): Rethinking Tourism in times of COVID-19 in the Eastern Caribbean e- discussion. I am pleased to share that many of the suggestions and insights you have contributed have been included in the final report on the regional dialogues, including direct quotes from the e-discussion participants. Thank you for your willingness to get involved and for sharing your views. Your input will contribute to the recommendation and formulation of policies which will have a wide-reaching impact on the future of tourism in the Eastern Caribbean. More than 50 people joined the discussion, from a variety of backgrounds: Barbados Welcome Stamp/remote workers, start-ups, small businesses, civil society, technology companies and representatives from UNDP and other UN agencies across the world. The discussion board is now closed but it will remain accessible for future reference and can be viewed at the links below:
The final Future Tourism Summary Report will be presented to the governments of the Eastern Caribbean in the coming days. Thereafter it will be made available for public review and we will share it with you at this time. We would like to thank you once again for your support, and we look forward to working with you again in the future. Regards, The UNDP Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Future Tourism and UNDP SIDS Teams |
The travel and hospitality sectors have been at the forefront of digital transformation with transportation and accommodation companies among the first to adopt digital marketing practices to attract visitors. The pandemic has accelerated digital sales in the tourism industry, with emerging digital platforms and apps used to engage customers before, during and after traveling. However many Caribbean small businesses are not yet integrated with the major Online Travel Agencies (OTAs: Expedia, booking.com etc) and do not have access to online payment gateways. International visitors tend not to carry cash and prefer digital means of payment which prevents many small businesses from accessing potential customers who are willing to pay for their products and services.
Help shape the future of tourism in the region as part of this United Nations consultation. Sharing your insights and recommendations will support governments and small businesses to assess and adapt to this transition. Here are a few questions you can consider to get started. The conversation is open to everyone. We look forward to hearing from you.
Discussion Questions
- What are the challenges and opportunities emerging related to the adoption of digital technologies in the tourism sector in the Caribbean?
- How can Caribbean small businesses better take advantage of these opportunities? What hurdles need to be overcome and what type of support is needed?
- How can innovations in AI, biometrics, 5G networks, GPS tracking, AR/VR, blockchain, etc. also be used in the Eastern Caribbean to attract tourists and to manage the value chain more effectively, sustainably and efficiently? Please share examples.
Hello and Welcome,
Thank you for joining us in what I anticipate will be a lively and important dialogue to facilitate informed policy change to support Caribbean businesses; notably small and medium sized enterprises to enhance their competitive advantage and ease operations through digital transformation.
My name is Jessica Bensley, I will be one of the moderators for this dialogue over the next week.
I am a specialist in small islands and committed to sustainable development.
For over three decades I have led a multi-regional team guiding over 18million visitors through 28 of our islands whilst marketing over 3,000 tourism service providers and respective pubic service ministries across our Caribbean islands.
I am no stranger to the logistical challenges and constraints to scaling and operating a business through multiple territories, currencies and compliancy regulations all whilst streamlining and digitizing systems to simplify and regularize commercial transactions for SME’s and to add continued value for our international clients.
It is my sincere hope that you will engage in this online participator dialogue to share your experience and expertise - your objectives, your wins and some of your challenges.
As a means to getting to know you, please share your responses to these two introductory questions;
PLEASE RESPOND
1. What is your most challenging digital constraint to scaling or optimizing your business?
2. What is a technological strategy you have adopted that has worked successfully for your enterprise?
1 . A - Payments. Being unable to offer a seamless and localized solution for collecting payments from overseas clients has been a pain. Thankfully, I've learned that when someone wants to do business with you they are usually very understanding and will work with the options you have available. However, it means that a lot of money gets left on the table because not everyone has the time or interest in paying other than through their credit card.
2. A - We offer both local and international ways for clients to pay us. It means loss of revenue through international transfer and currency exchanges but it is better than losing out on the payment completely. We stay very active online and communicate regularly with customers to resolve issues and quickly as possible.
Hello Nerissa,
Thank you for sharing your primary challenges which i understand to be mainly around seamless and cost efficient means to accepting digital payments.
I applaud your commitment to place additional focus in your business to timely communications, it brings to mind that once we have this issue resolved your personnel costs around this area could be utilized in another capacity, perhaps towards building out your customer base.
I am interested in what solutions you currently utilize?
Jessica Bensley , we are currently looking at creating a new business model, that can allow us to resolve some of the pain points, not only for ourselves but others in the same sector. As it relates to personnel, we outsource and hire temp staff as needed.