Barbados’ tourism sector braces for impact of US tariffs

The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has added its voice to those who have predicted disruptions due to US tariffs.

Chairman Javon Griffith warned of the potential dampening effect on tourist arrivals from the US, which is Barbados’ main source market, and said the tariffs on Chinese-made goods, in particular, will have far-reaching effects.

In addition to the risk of declining visitor arrivals, Griffith flagged mounting supply chain disruptions and rising freight costs, which are set to make critical imports more expensive for local businesses. He said these factors, as well as broader investment uncertainty, pose a serious challenge to Barbados’ economic stability and growth prospects.

“Higher tariffs on Chinese goods will raise costs for US businesses, which will then be passed on to Barbados, affecting construction, infrastructure, and tourism,” Griffith said, adding that the US also serves as a key transit point for many goods bound for Barbados.

Griffith noted that  inflationary trends in the US could suppress consumer spending and discourage leisure travel.

Despite these threats, Griffith pointed out that the Caribbean has consistently imported more from the US than it exports, making the region a strategic trade partner.

Therefore, he urged US policymakers to consider not only domestic economic interests but also the longstanding economic relationships with Caribbean nations that could be jeopardised by the aggressive tariffs.

“We are a market that matters to the US, and any shifts in trade policy must take into account the real economic implications for regional partners,” he said. (SZB)