Because the Caribbean Market takes place in Barbados, the Caribbean Lodge & Tourism Affiliation (CHTA) and lead journey analysts, Ahead Keys, have partnered to launch a complete report on the present state of Caribbean tourism. The report, titled Caribbean Journey Tendencies 2024, offers some perception into the efficiency of locations all through the area and even features a record of the fastest-growing international locations. The area has proven super development all year long to date with locations like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Belize seeing spectacular abroad vacationer arrivals. Right here’s what else the Ahead Keys report revealed.
Belize: One of many Quickest Rising Caribbean Locations in 2024
Picture through Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
Although it is additionally a Central American nation, Belize’s Caribbean heritage and roots are as robust because the small nation’s dedication to conservation. And, similar to its regional counterparts, the nation is a selection vacation spot for vacationers, particularly within the early months of the yr. In early 2024, Belize noticed record-breaking tourism arrival numbers—a feat that has earned it a place as one of many fastest-growing locations within the area.
In line with the Ahead Keys report, Belize has to date seen a 30% improve in tourism arrivals for the primary half of 2024 in comparison with the identical interval in 2023. In actual fact, the nation was listed because the quickest rising Mid-Tier vacation spot.*
*which means these locations that symbolize a market share between 0.5% and 5%
Contributing to Belize’s development, says the report, are vacationer arrivals from the U.S., particularly New York. In December 2023, New York-based provider JetBlue launched new continuous service to the nation, opening the nation as much as a brand new market of vacationers. (In line with ForwardKeys, bookings from New York are +91% greater than 2023)
Caribbean Journey Tendencies
The Caribbean Journey Tendencies report by Ahead Keys additionally included some informative stats on the first markets which are driving development within the area.
Household Journey on the Rise
In the case of household and group journey, Curacao, Aruba, and Belize are the highest decisions says Ahead Keys. In line with the report, arrivals of family-sized teams (3-5 individuals) to the Caribbean elevated by 13% within the first half of the yr.
Latin Individuals Are Visiting the Caribbean Extra
Copa Airways affords direct flights from Panama to Belize
On the Belize Tourism Board’s annual B.O.O.M discussion board, held earlier this yr, the BTB revealed methods being applied to introduce Belize to Latin American vacationers—a strategic transfer, contemplating that Latin American journey inside the area continues to develop. In line with Ahead Keys, Colombia and Brazil are the top-performing Latin American markets in the case of Caribbean journey.
How Carnivals and Festivals Affect Journey
Placencia Carnival. Picture by @belizemytravels on IG
“Festivals and occasions are more and more necessary for Caribbean locations,” says Ahead Keys. They assist to “enhance demand, diversify customer base, and construct international model consciousness.” Maybe the perfect instance of that is Trinidad Carnival, which occurred in February. The 2024 Caribbean Journey Tendencies report reveals that in Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival season group journey “surged”, growing by 52%.
The Caribbean Is Performing Effectively, However Competitors Is Set to Enhance
Bamboo Rafting down Jamaica’s Martha Brae River. Picture through Lovicarious
The Caribbean has been doing an impressive job in the case of journey. The analysts over at Ahead Keys belive, nevertheless, that extra might be performed to keep up a place as a high journey vacation spot. The report notes that it’s “essential” for Caribbean locations to “develop methods to stay related in an more and more aggressive journey atmosphere.”
That is very true as areas like Asia start to completely rebound following the pandemic.
