Travel Trends: Americans Flock To Caribbean Sun

The Caribbean is a popular destination for American travellers, with 4.3 million visiting in the first half of 2021 alone. This was a 21.7% increase from 2020. The region has seen a boost in tourism since the pandemic, with 18.2 million Americans going on cruise vacations in 2024.

The Caribbean saw a 21.7% increase in American tourists in the first half of 2021 compared to 2020

The Caribbean saw a huge increase in American tourists in the first half of 2021 compared to 2020, with 4.3 million Americans travelling to the region in the first six months of 2021, a 21.7% increase from 2020. This was despite the Caribbean being hit by spikes in COVID-19 rates and US travel advisories.

The Caribbean outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of 2021, with international tourist arrivals reaching 6.6 million, considerably better than the global average of a 65.1% decline. The increase in American tourists was likely driven by the region's proximity to the US, with Mexico being the main recipient of tourism from the US in Latin America.

In 2022, the Caribbean saw a more than 50% jump in visitors compared to the previous year, with more than 28 million people visiting the region. This was driven in large part by the US market, which accounted for more than 50% of arrivals, with 14.6 million US tourists visiting, three million more than the previous year.

The Dutch Caribbean and US territories like Puerto Rico surpassed even pre-pandemic visitor arrivals, with overnight tourist visits jumping between ten and 37 times greater than those in the corresponding months in 2020. In 2023, around 10.7 million US Americans travelled to the Caribbean, making up more than 40% of the total US tourism volume in Latin America.

The US market drove more than 50% of arrivals to the Caribbean in 2022

The Caribbean region has been hit hard by spikes in COVID-19 rates and US travel advisories, but it still outperformed the rest of the world in the first half of 2021, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Data from the agency shows that international tourist arrivals to the Caribbean reached 6.6 million, considerably better than the global average of a 65.1% decline.

Tourism to the Caribbean has been steadily increasing since the pandemic began. In 2023, around 10.7 million US Americans travelled to the Caribbean. This is nearly 4 million fewer than in 2022, but still considerably higher than the 2021 figure.

The Dutch Caribbean and US territories like Puerto Rico have seen particularly high numbers of visitors, with tourist arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic numbers.

The Caribbean saw a 50% jump in visitors in 2022 compared to 2021

The increase in tourism to the Caribbean can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the region's geographical position makes it a convenient and attractive destination for U.S. travellers, especially those looking for a tropical getaway. Additionally, the Caribbean has a strong tourism infrastructure, with a wide range of accommodation options, activities, and attractions that cater to a variety of interests and budgets. The region also benefits from a favourable climate, with warm temperatures and sunny skies year-round, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a beach vacation or outdoor activities.

Another factor contributing to the increase in visitors is the Caribbean's successful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite spikes in COVID-19 rates and U.S. travel advisories, the region outperformed the rest of the world in terms of tourism in the first half of 2021. This early success in managing the pandemic and welcoming back tourists likely contributed to the continued growth in visitor numbers in 2022.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) also played a significant role in promoting the region as a safe and desirable destination. According to CTO data, international tourist arrivals to the Caribbean reached 6.6 million in the first half of 2021, considerably better than the global average of a 65.1% decline. This early momentum may have helped sustain the region's tourism industry and attract even more visitors in the following year.

Overall, the Caribbean's appeal as a tourist destination, combined with effective pandemic recovery and promotional efforts, likely contributed to the significant increase in visitors in 2022 compared to 2021.

The Dutch Caribbean and US territories like Puerto Rico saw a boost in tourism in 2022

In the first half of 2021, 4.3 million Americans travelled to the Caribbean, a 21.7% increase from 2020. While tourist arrivals continued to lag pre-pandemic numbers, the first half of 2021 saw a boost, with overnight tourist visits jumping between 10 and 37 times greater than those in the corresponding months in 2020.

In 2023, around 10.7 million US Americans travelled to the Caribbean.

Mexico is the main recipient of tourism from the US in Latin America

In 2023, Mexico was the leading country for international tourism in Latin America, with nearly 13 million US overnight tourists – more than 40% of the total US tourism volume in the region. This is compared to around 10.7 million US Americans who travelled to the Caribbean in the same year.

Mexico's position as the top tourism market in Latin America is largely due to its geographical position. In 2019, Mexico's tourism revenue came to $8.9 billion, dropping by half in 2020 but already recovering to pre-pandemic levels in 2021. By mid-2023, Mexican tourism sales were forecast to reach $15 billion, inching towards double the pre-pandemic levels.

Mexico's tourism sector has also been bolstered by the outbound US market. Travellers originating in the US comprise 82% of arrivals in Mexico, 49% in the Caribbean, and 33% in Central America based on 2023 trend numbers.

The popularity of the Caribbean as a travel destination for Americans has grown in recent years, with the region outperforming the rest of the world in the first half of 2021. Some 4.3 million Americans travelled to the Caribbean in the first half of 2021 alone, a 21.7% increase from 2020. The majority (72%) of US cruise passengers prefer cruises to the Caribbean, making it the most popular destination.

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