The Caribbean tourism landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation in 2025, led by Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. These destinations are at the forefront of a powerful resurgence driven by record-breaking visitor arrivals, expanded air connectivity, a wave of new luxury resorts, booming cruise traffic, and sweeping policy reforms aimed at boosting long-term travel revenue.
This regional momentum is not only reinvigorating local economies but also reshaping how island nations approach tourism strategy—focusing on scale, access, and sustainability to capture a larger share of global travel demand.
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Flight Expansion Fuels Caribbean Accessibility
Aviation growth remains central to the 2025 surge. Airlines are investing in new routes and increased frequency:
- Caribbean Airlines launched direct flights from San Juan to Dominica and expanded service from Trinidad, reconnecting the Nature Isle to major markets.
- United Airlines adds a second Newark–Dominica flight this October, complementing American Airlines’ Miami route.
- In the Dutch Caribbean, Z Air launched Curaçao–St. Maarten service, and LATAM will link Bogotá to Aruba and Curaçao by December.
- American Airlines is tripling daily flights from Miami to Eleuthera and Abaco, and Porter Airlines (Canada) begins service to Nassau from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton this winter.
Luxury Hotels and Resort Investments Drive Premium Growth
High-end hospitality continues to thrive as global brands invest across the region:
- Hilton unveiled its first Dominican Republic all-inclusive, Zemi Miches Punta Cana, with 500 rooms.
- Aruba welcomed Secrets Baby Beach, and the St. Regis Aruba is set for a late 2025 debut.
- In Barbados, the Royalton CHIC transitions to Royalton Vessence under Marriott, focusing on design and wellness.
- Saint Lucia launches Sapphire Sands Villas, a residential-style resort model.
- Marriott’s Luxury Collection expanded with Salterra Resort in South Caicos.
- Puerto Rico prepares to open Verano, a boutique hotel in San Juan’s trendy Santurce district.
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Cruise Tourism Hits New Highs
Cruise travel is setting new benchmarks. The Dominican Republic saw 1.63 million cruise arrivals in the first half of 2025, with strong performance also reported in Antigua, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.
Infrastructure and tax changes are accompanying the growth:
- The Bahamas implemented a new cruise passenger tax structure effective July 1 ($23–$25 per person), along with VAT on private island sales and new permit regulations.
- Major cruise developments include Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club in Nassau and Carnival’s Celebration Key in Grand Bahama.
Visitor Arrivals and Economic Impact
Tourism is driving exceptional economic returns:
- The Dominican Republic welcomed 6.1 million visitors in six months—its strongest first-half ever.
- Jamaica hosted 2.3 million arrivals, generating US$2.4 billion in revenue and projecting a year-end total over US$4.3 billion.
- The British Virgin Islands saw a 3.6% rise in arrivals and an impressive 52% jump in day-trippers.
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Policy and Taxation: Evolving Revenue Models
Island governments are modernizing their tourism revenue frameworks:
- Barbados delayed the rollout of a new airport tax but maintains nightly room levies.
- Jamaica is enforcing short-term rental tax compliance, targeting platforms like Airbnb.
- Saint Lucia, Curaçao, and Belize introduced accommodation and conservation fees.
- Several countries, including Antigua and Dominica, revised citizenship-by-investment policies to maintain visa-free travel access and meet global compliance standards.
Campaigns and Tourism Leadership Initiatives
Promotional efforts and strategic events are driving regional coordination:
- Jamaica’s “70 Days of Love” campaign is offering aggressive travel discounts.
- The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) launched its Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, emphasizing sustainability and inter-island collaboration.
- Barbados will host two major events this fall: SOTIC (State of the Industry Conference) and CHTA’s CHIEF Summit, bringing key stakeholders together.
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Festivals across Antigua, Saint Lucia, and Barbados are drawing large international crowds, reflecting renewed global interest in Caribbean culture and heritage.
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