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The global financial crisis has hit the Caribbean tourism industry especially hard. Construction has halted at luxury developments such as the Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Ritz-Carlton Molasses Reef on West Caicos. Thanks to economic turmoil, the resorts that already dot the islands are also expecting a dramatic drop in U.S. visitors, traditionally their largest group of vacationers.

But what's bad news for the travel industry can mean bargains for travellers. A drop in American tourism makes Canadians particularly attractive customers. Especially because even before this fall's economic meltdown there was an overcapacity on Canadian trips southwards – in plain English, too many all-inclusive packages for too few sun seekers.

Herewith, a few of the deals on offer this winter. $469 RIVIERA NAYARIT Ready for a holiday, like, right now? Save up to 50 per cent – and avoid the high-season throngs – on a last-minute trip from Toronto with Nolitours and Transat Holidays. If you can pack your bags by Friday, for example, Nolitours is selling off a week at the three-star Decameron Los Cocos on the Riviera Nayarit for $469. Leave next Sunday, and Nolitours will settle you in at the Gran Caribe Club Puntarena in Varadero, Cuba, for $469. Transat Holidays, meanwhile, has a one-week package at Mercure Simson Beach Hotel in St. Martin leaving Friday, Saturday and Dec. 13 for $658. For all trips, fees and surcharges are extra. For more information, visit www.nolitours.com or www.transatholidays.com. CRUISE FOR $499 U.S. Finally, being a Canadian pays off in hard cash. Prove you're a resident of the Great White North and save $170 to $780 a person on select Disney cruises way down south. The deals on offer include a four-night trip to the Bahamas starting at $499 (U.S.) (departures from Feb. 8 to March 8), as well as a seven-night Caribbean holiday starting at $849 (U.S.) (departures from Jan. 31 to March 7). Yes, you still have to pay those pesky fuel surcharges, taxes and the excursion fees. But you'll get an inside stateroom far from snow-shovelling and it's an easy sell to the kids. For more information, call 1-888-325-2500 (mention code CAN) or visit www.disneycruise.com. $568 CARIBBEAN You know you want a tan line. You know you want a nice hotel. And if you're willing to gamble on the details, you can save up to 50 per cent on a holiday with Signature Vacations. Here's how it works: You pick your timelines, your destination and what star rating you expect from your stay – a week before you go, Signature will pick an all-inclusive hotel for you. The “roulette” program applies to properties in the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Mexico. One week in a three-star hotel in Varadero, Cuba, for example, will cost you $748 with departures Jan. 8 and 15. A four-star week in Cancun leaving Jan. 8-22 is $945. Prices apply to the lowest room category unless otherwise stated. For more information, visit www.signaturevacations.com. $336 BERMUDA You're not likely to wear a bikini, but this island can still be warmer than parts of Florida come wintertime and you can generally golf year-round. Until April 30, the Reefs Hotel is also offering a Canadian-only deal – accepting our dollar at par with the U.S. and Bermudian dollars. Rooms still start at $336 a night, but that's 20 per cent less than you would normally pay, and this hotel is a favourite of posh magazines such as Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Rates include breakfast, afternoon tea (this is Bermuda, after all) and dinner. For more information, call 1-800-742-2008 or visit www.thereefs.com. ST. MARTIN ON SALE ROI hasn't meant much of late. But in St. Martin this winter, the acronym standsfor “Relax On Island,” and it delivers a 15-per-cent discount on seven-night stays in select hotels, plus a $100 credit for use at island restaurants, shops, rental car agencies and trip companies. Participating hotels range from the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, a mega-hotel with a casino, 40 shops and a spa on site, to Joshua Rose Guest House, a family-run joint located a block from the beach. Bookings must be made by Dec. 31 for travel between Dec. 20 and April 30. For reservations, contact a travel agent, or for more details call the St. Martin Tourist Office at 416-622-4300. $1,699 BALI Forget speed R&R: If you can take 29 nights off, you can explore Bali for just $1,699 plus taxes and surcharges. This package from Silk Holidays – less than the cost of a flight in some cases – includes three full-day and two half-day tours, daily breakfast and a return flight from Vancouver. And yes, Bali has plenty of stellar beaches along with a distinct culture. This deal is available through March 31. Add-on fares from other Canadian cities are also available. For more information, visit www.silkholidays.com. $245 OFF PARADISE Well, Paradise Island, anyway. And Nassau too. Book by next Saturday and Air Canada Vacations will give you a $245 rebate on trips to the Bahamas before Feb. 28. Just to make your getaway plan really easy, there are daily non-stop flights from Toronto and weekly non-stop flights from Montreal. Package holidays are available at Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, Atlantis-Paradise Island, The Cove Atlantis, The Reef Atlantis, Graycliff Hotel, Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and Comfort Suites-Paradise Island. For more information, visit www.aircanadavacations.com. $2,189 COOK ISLANDS It'll take you more than 20 hours to get there, but if you're willing to trek to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, that loonie is worth $1.50 in the local currency. And IslandsEscapes by Goway has a number of packages to sweeten the deal: A 12-night trip leaving from Vancouver, for instance, starts at $2,189 a person (plus taxes and fees) and includes accommodation and transfers. Book from another Canadian city for an extra charge. Trips are available until March 31. For more information, call 1-800-667-6601 or visit www.goway.com. Special to The Globe and Mail