With dozens of worldwide journey restrictions, almost all Caribbean nations noticed their tourism industries collapse throughout the robust years of the pandemic.
Forecasters predicted a painfully gradual restoration by 2026, however present unimaginable tourism figures present the sector has not solely totally recovered however can also be thriving.
A minimum of, that’s what leaders reported on the newest annual Caribbean Journey Market held Could 20-23 in Jamaica.
Caribbean locations managed to surpass pre-pandemic arrivals final yr when all locations mixed welcomed a staggering 33.2 million vacationers, up 14.3 % in comparison with 2022, in accordance with information revealed by Nicola Madden-Grieg, president of the occasion sponsor.
The area can also be constructing 14,000 new lodge rooms and forecasts 5–10 % progress over the following few years. Let’s try some nation figures.
Jamaica
Between January and February 2024, Jamaica acquired greater than 1 million vacationers who dropped at the island $1 billion in tourism income, “a report that has by no means occurred within the historical past of Jamaica,” stated Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.
The federal government tasks to obtain 5 million guests and earn $5 billion by 2025.
To attain such a milestone, Jamaica is including 2,000 new lodge rooms to its portfolio, probably the most formidable tourism progress plan within the Caribbean in 2024.
Saint Lucia
This laid-back island can also be experiencing a flourishing tourism season, with stay-over arrivals up 11.3% within the first quarter in comparison with the identical interval in 2023, breaking all information set earlier than the pandemic.
Solely in March 2024, the island acquired the most important variety of guests ever seen in historical past, stated Guibion Ferdinand, parliamentary secretary in Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism.
The nation plans so as to add 2,000 extra lodge rooms by subsequent yr. It should additionally broaden its port amenities to accommodate 10,000-12,000 extra cruise passengers.
Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is one other particular research case. This tiny Caribbean island has recorded a surge in guests of over 227 % because the pandemic.
From January to April, the vacation spot welcomed 271,326 air vacationers, up 10.46 % in comparison with the identical timeframe in 2023. Cruise passengers additionally skilled a small uptick.
“Information present that our air arrival numbers are projected to stay excessive by way of August which signifies that our tourism sector will stay buoyant all yr,” stated Tourism Minister, Josephine Connolly.
Belize
The analytics agency ForwardKeys not too long ago decided that Belize is seeing excellent tourism progress, as per their information.
In response to the most recent report, the nation has had a 30 % enhance in worldwide vacationers to this point in 2024, “the quickest progress charge of any vacation spot within the Caribbean,” beating conventional hotspots just like the Dominican Republic and Curacao.
From January to March, the nation noticed a rise of 17.5 % in comparison with the identical interval earlier than the pandemic.
Cancun
Cancun acquired 8.21 million vacationers between January and April 2024, in accordance with Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR).
This quantity represents a 6 % enhance in comparison with the identical timeframe final yr. This fashion, the vacation spot is setting a brand new arrival report.
Dominican Republic
From January to April, the Dominican Republic welcomed 3,039,302 air vacationers, 10 % extra in comparison with the identical interval final yr, and 1,139,381 cruise passengers, 15 % greater than in 2023, breaking all information set in historical past.
The nation is projected to surpass 11 million guests in 2024, a determine by no means seen earlier than, in accordance with Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
