It was the day of a seminar on the prospects for the aviation sector, this Tuesday, in Les Abymes. A meeting at the initiative of the Guadeloupe Region, to which players in air transport, but also those in maritime transport and tourism, were invited. It was about discussing the avenues for development in a sector, which is proving to be a spearhead. Air travel, as a gateway to the archipelago, opens the way to many other economic development opportunities.
Published on October 15, 2024 at 5:07 p.m.
This Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the regional community organized a seminar, at the headquarters of the Tourism Committee of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CTIG), in Dothémare (Les Abymes), to talk about perspectives and avenues for development in the air sector.
For the occasion, they were all there: the managers of the Guadeloupe airport, but also of the autonomous port, the airlines, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CCI IG) and the CTIG . Together, they designed a strategic positioning for the coming years. A reflection carried out on the basis of a targeted study, the first phase of which was presented.
Where exactly are we? ? To draw up a precise inventory of the local tourist offer, air travel is seen as a starting point.
The period is also conducive to the implementation of strong actions to boost this sector, the gateway to the archipelago. After the Covid-19 pandemic, which put it to the test, traffic and attendance are gradually returning to their previous levels.
The airline sector is doing very well in Guadeloupe. It is helped a lot by tourism, which is also developing very well. The airport is an extraordinary tool, serving the Guadeloupean population, serving its economic development and, indeed, the observation that we can make is that the figures are very encouraging, both in terms of the past and prospects for the future (…).
Stéphane Sié, consultant in Aérogestion firm, in Paris
Stéphane Sié, consultant in Aérogestion firm, in Paris
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©Alexandre Houda and Ludovic Gaydu – Guadeloupe La 1ère
3.3 billion euros ; This is essentially what the tourism sector weighs in Guadeloupe.
Between air traffic, investments, accommodation, attractiveness campaigns, and even the cruise market, the destination is at the heart of a strategic market.
Strategic, at least for the regional community which, in June 2023, launched a study to take stock of this sector and its possible developments in the coming years.
We continue to work with all the stakeholders, work started in 2023, with workshops on culture, on transport, on regional planning… we cannot do tourism if we do not talk of all this (…).
Sheila Rempath, president of the tourism commission in the Guadeloupe region
Sheila Rempath, president of the tourism commission in the Guadeloupe region
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©Alexandre Houda and Ludovic Gaydu – Guadeloupe La 1ère
The president of the CCI IG confirms that tourism is a driving force for the local economy. With an increasing number of visitors, more money is being spent in the archipelago.
When tourism stops, many businesses are in great difficulty (…). So we need to diversify our clientele (…).
Patrick Vial-Collet, president of the CCI IG
Patrick Vial-Collet, president of the CCI IG
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©Alexandre Houda and Ludovic Gaydu – Guadeloupe La 1ère
Zooming in on air, we must take into account regional traffic, inter-island traffic in the Caribbean, the North American market and, of course, European traffic, passing through Paris.
Guadeloupe has a card to play, in the eyes of the regional community, in particular because it benefits from a significant range of accommodation, which stands out from the mass tourism developed by its Caribbean neighbors. The archipelagic configuration of the territory also leads to a multiplicity of local riches. ; assets to be valued.
The study commissioned by the Guadeloupe Region is an opportunity to think about the future, to put in place strategies corresponding to the needs of stakeholders, but also to the evolution of visitor demands.
After the collapse of the sector, following the health crisis, the disappearance of certain companies like Liat and the refusal of other operators to serve our destination, it is now necessary to change our approach.
We need to think about seasons, new territories to attract (such as the United States and European countries) and focus on the plurality of the local offer, focusing on the southern islands of the archipelago, in complementarity with maritime transport.
There is a need to develop seasonal offers. Today, air traffic and tourism are very successful during peak periods : in winter and July/August (…).
Stéphane Sié, consultant in Aérogestion firm, in Paris
Stéphane Sié, consultant in Aérogestion firm, in Paris
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©Alexandre Houda and Ludovic Gaydu – Guadeloupe La 1ère
The players today are too focused on French customers, from the point of view of Patrick Vial-Collet.
The strategy of establishment, of penetrating a market, takes place over a period of time (2 to 3 years minimum), it is part of a commercial strategy (…).
Patrick Vial-Collet, president of the CCI IG
Patrick Vial-Collet, president of the CCI IG
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©Alexandre Houda and Ludovic Gaydu – Guadeloupe La 1ère
To contribute to the growth, the Guadeloupe Region, already a shareholder of the Corsair company, wants to invest, but with discernment. The objective is to have a better influence on the Guadeloupe destination.
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