With dozens of global shuttle restrictions, just about all Caribbean nations noticed their tourism industries cave in right through the cruel years of the pandemic.
Forecasters predicted a painfully sluggish restoration via 2026, however present unbelievable tourism figures display the field has no longer best totally recovered however could also be thriving.
A minimum of, that’s what leaders reported at the most recent annual Caribbean Commute Market held Would possibly 20-23 in Jamaica.
Caribbean locations controlled to surpass pre-pandemic arrivals ultimate 12 months when all locations mixed welcomed a staggering 33.2 million vacationers, up 14.3 p.c in comparison to 2022, in line with information published via Nicola Madden-Grieg, president of the development sponsor.
The area could also be development 14,000 new lodge rooms and forecasts 5–10 p.c enlargement over the following few years. Let’s take a look at some nation figures.
Jamaica
Between January and February 2024, Jamaica gained greater than 1 million vacationers who dropped at the island $1 billion in tourism income, “a file that hasn’t ever came about 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 via 2025.
To succeed in the sort of milestone, Jamaica is including 2,000 new lodge rooms to its portfolio, probably the most formidable tourism enlargement plan within the Caribbean in 2024.
Saint Lucia
This laid-back island could also be experiencing a flourishing tourism season, with stay-over arrivals up 11.3% within the first quarter in comparison to the similar length in 2023, breaking all information set ahead of the pandemic.
Handiest in March 2024, the island gained the most important collection of guests ever noticed in historical past, stated Guibion Ferdinand, parliamentary secretary in Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Tourism.
The rustic plans so as to add 2,000 extra lodge rooms via subsequent 12 months. It’ll additionally increase its port amenities to house 10,000-12,000 extra cruise passengers.
Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is some other particular learn about case. This tiny Caribbean island has recorded a surge in guests of over 227 p.c for the reason that pandemic.
From January to April, the vacation spot welcomed 271,326 air vacationers, up 10.46 p.c in comparison to the similar time frame in 2023. Cruise passengers additionally skilled a small uptick.
“Information display that our air arrival numbers are projected to stay prime thru August which signifies that our tourism sector will stay buoyant all 12 months,” stated Tourism Minister, Josephine Connolly.
Belize
The analytics company ForwardKeys lately decided that Belize is seeing exceptional tourism enlargement, as in line with their information.
In step with the most recent record, the rustic has had a 30 p.c build up in global vacationers to this point in 2024, “the quickest enlargement price of any vacation spot within the Caribbean,” beating conventional hotspots just like the Dominican Republic and Curacao.
From January to March, the rustic noticed an build up of 17.5 p.c in comparison to the similar length ahead of the pandemic.
Cancun
Cancun gained 8.21 million vacationers between January and April 2024, in line with Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR).
This quantity represents a 6 p.c build up in comparison to the similar time frame ultimate 12 months. This fashion, the vacation spot is environment a brand new arrival file.
Dominican Republic
From January to April, the Dominican Republic welcomed 3,039,302 air vacationers, 10 p.c extra in comparison to the similar length ultimate 12 months, and 1,139,381 cruise passengers, 15 p.c greater than in 2023, breaking all information set in historical past.
The rustic is projected to surpass 11 million guests in 2024, a determine by no means noticed ahead of, in line with Minister of Tourism, David Collado.