Impact

What is the impact of the American economic slowdown? How bad is the economic recession? What is the impact? Atlantis, a major employer laid off 1,500 workers from their hotel complex on this island. They are down from 9,500 to 8,000. Tourism forms 75% of the economy here, and tourist arrivals have fallen from 5 million three years ago to less than 4 million this year.

The economy is monolithic. Many people are out of work. The government projects $150 million in revenue shortfalls, which is huge for this country. The only tiny glimmer of hope, is that WestJet, a Canadian carrier has added direct flights from Ottawa, the Canadian capital to the Caribbean. They would not do this if the numbers did not warrant it.

The net result is that crime is up. It even affects us. The Lovely One was out with the Beamer, and someone stole the grille from the front. I had the BMW in for repairs and someone gained access and tried to steal the radio, even through the front panel was removed because of that eventuality.

It doesn't look good for this island nation. Most of the tourists come from the US. The only saving grace is that it is still relatively safe to come here, compared to going to exotic places like Bali, Thailand or Mumbai, where Islamic militants are conducting warfare on American tourists.

The real impact on our lives will not be known, but we hope that it will be short-lived.