CARIBBEAN TOURISM ENTERS A NEW STRATEGIC PHASE AS LATIN AMERICAN DEMAND RISES | News
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, unveiled the Caribbean Travel Trends Report 2026 yesterday at the Caribbean Travel Forum 2026 in Antigua. The report shows that Caribbean tourism is entering a new strategic phase, one defined less by a rapid post-pandemic recovery and more by the need to diversify demand, attract higher-value travelers and unlock growth beyond traditional peak periods.
Based on Amadeus Travel Intelligence data on air travel, hospitality and traveler behavior from April 2025 through March 2026, the report shows that overseas demand for the Caribbean grew by just 1 percent year over year, a marked moderation from the 21 percent and 8 percent increases in the previous two years. As post-recovery momentum stabilizes, the region’s next chapter will be data-driven targeting, market diversification and the ability to convert traveler intent into bookings when it matters most.
What the data shows: A region recalibrating for growth at higher values
Latin America is emerging as a strategic growth engine. Demand from Latin American source markets grew 24 percent year-on-year, while premium travel from South America increased 117 percent. Peru posted a 192 percent increase in premium travel and Argentina followed with 164 percent, strengthening the Caribbean’s appeal among the region’s most affluent travelers and opening a powerful new channel of diversification beyond traditional North American and European markets.
Smaller destinations are driving the region’s momentum. While the top destinations remained stable year over year, the second-tier destinations grew by 2 percent, indicating that recent growth is increasingly driven by smaller markets expanding from a lower base. Dominica led the region with 22 percent year-on-year growth, supported by improved air connections and rising demand for nature and adventure-oriented travel. Sint Maarten followed with 18 percent, reflecting its dual appeal as a destination in itself and as an essential gateway to Saint Martin, Anguilla and St. Barthélemy.
The Caribbean leads the way in accessibility and value. The average fare from the US to the Caribbean was $385, making the region 32 percent more affordable than South America at $569 and broadly comparable to Central America at $387. Miami offers the lowest average rate at $315, well below New York at $349 and San Francisco at $545, supporting continued demand from the region’s key long-haul markets.
Hotel turnover increases during peak hours, while there is clearly room to grow outside peak hours. Hotels in the Caribbean delivered a RevPAR of $183 per night during peak season, up 5.2 percent year-over-year, while RevPAR rose to $283 for the holiday season. Off-season RevPAR remained at $125, well below peak levels and indicates headroom for destinations that are successfully appealing to mid-season and off-season travelers.
South American travelers unlock demand all year round. Brazil posted 60 percent growth in off-season arrivals, the fastest among South American commodity markets, while Colombia, the region’s largest South American commodity market by share, posted off-season growth of 26 percent. Together, these markets help Caribbean destinations broaden their seasonal calendars and generate additional revenue outside of traditional peak periods.
Caribbean culture makes for longer, more meaningful visits. Analysis from CARIFESTA Travelers booked more than three months in advance and extended their stays, demonstrating how the region’s cultural calendar has become a powerful driver for tourism growth, longer lengths of stay and deeper economic impact across the region.
A shared commitment to Caribbean growth
CHTA President Sanovnik Destang said the findings strengthen both the opportunities and discipline needed to compete in today’s global tourism landscape: “The Caribbean is entering a more strategic chapter, one in which data, diversification and destination positioning will determine who will capture the next wave of growth. Latin American demand is rising rapidly, premium travelers are choosing the Caribbean in record numbers and our cultural calendar proves it can extend stays and drive economic impact across borders. The insights we gain with Amadeus on Caribbean Travel Forum will give our members the intelligence to compete with confidence to capture year-round demand and translate the unparalleled appeal of the Caribbean into sustainable prosperity for our communities.”
Sol Freixa, Vice President, Commercial, Destinations at Amadeus, added: “In a more competitive and choice-rich travel environment, understanding demand is just the first step. The real opportunity for Caribbean destinations lies in using these insights to actively shape traveler perception and leverage demand when it matters most. By aligning insight-based targeting with clear destination positioning, destinations can position themselves more clearly, reaching travelers earlier in their planning journey and transforming intention into meaningful growth.”
Methodology
The data in the Caribbean Travel Trends Report 2026 comes from Amadeus Data Connect, Amadeus Destination Gateway and other Amadeus Travel Intelligence solutions. Amadeus Destination Gateway delivers comprehensive historical and forward-looking air travel data through an intuitive dashboard, allowing destinations to track performance by origin market, season and route. Amadeus Data Connect answers key business questions for destinations with curated data sets and no-code access to an extensive library of pre-built Data Smarts.
