The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), is reporting that the region has seen a 6 per cent decline in tourist arrivals from the UK since the start of the year. CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley said while there has been improvement in visitor arrivals from the US and Canadian markets, numbers have been falling in Europe, particularly in the UK. He noted that the Summer Olympics resulted in marginal growth in the UK economy which is still trying to rebound. In his Christmas Message, Riley said the Caribbean cannot ignore the severe impact that the unfair and discriminatory Air Passenger Duty (APD), is having on the region’s performance in the British market. He stated that by April next year, a family of four visiting the Caribbean and flying in economy will be expected to fork out £332 for APD alone. The CTO Secretary General pointed out that that same family would pay less APD to fly to US destinations that are further away from London than any Caribbean country. He promised that his organisation would continue to lobby against the tax. In the meantime, Riley said the latest figures reveal a five per cent rise in arrivals overall, with the US and Canada outperforming all other markets resulting in a 5.3 per cent growth in both areas. However, he said visitor spending has been sluggish. Nevertheless, Riley said he and his team are energised by the CTO's new vision which is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year round, warm weather destination by 2017. Source: jagleaner