The Caribbean tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, recording a 2.5 percent increase in international stay-over arrivals to reach an estimated 35 million visits in 2025. This growth occurred despite ongoing global economic uncertainties and shifting travel patterns that have affected destinations worldwide.

The United States remained the Caribbean’s largest source market, accounting for approximately 17 million visitors, with arrivals increasing by 0.5 percent year-over-year. While demand from this critical market remained relatively stable, performance varied throughout the year, reflecting more cautious consumer behaviour and evolving travel preferences across different destinations.

Cruise Sector Drives Growth

The continued expansion of cruise itineraries, fleet capacity, and port infrastructure has supported sustained growth in the cruise segment, reinforcing its importance to the region’s overall tourism performance. The Caribbean remains the world’s premier cruise destination, offering diverse experiences from beach resorts to historic colonial towns.

Intra-regional travel also showed modest improvement, increasing by 5.1 percent, although ongoing challenges related to air connectivity and travel costs continue to constrain growth in some areas. Despite these obstacles, the sector has demonstrated adaptability and innovation in meeting changing market demands.

Outlook for 2026

The Caribbean Tourism Organization projects that stay-over arrivals will increase between 3 and 4 percent in 2026, supported by steady demand from North America and continued expansion in select emerging markets. This positive outlook reflects confidence in the region’s ability to navigate ongoing challenges while capitalising on new opportunities in the global travel market.