Caribbean Journey Traits 2024, ready by ForwardKeys and The Caribbean Resort & Tourism Affiliation (CHTA), has revealed a collection of features to be taken under consideration by the nations that make up the area. These findings had been shared by Olivier Ponti, director of Intelligence and Advertising and marketing at ForwardKeys, throughout an occasion held in Jamaica.
The report highlights the next main journey tendencies for Caribbean tourism in 2024:
Caribbean Tourism Experiences a Slowdown in Development
The report states that worldwide arrivals to the Caribbean have elevated by 10% year-over-year in the course of the first half of 2024 (and by 13% over 2019). However, the remainder of the Americas has exhibited 15% progress over the identical interval.
The very best-performing locations by way of year-on-year progress within the first half of the yr are Puerto Rico (with an 18% enhance), the Dominican Republic (12% enhance), and Cancun (7% enhance). These locations have succeeded because of efficient advertising campaigns, improved infrastructure, and distinctive points of interest. The Bahamas (6% enhance) and Jamaica (2% enhance) additionally present extra reasonable progress, which might be attributed to their established popularity and dependable buyer base.
Mid-tier Locations Are Gaining Floor in Strategic Segments
On this context, Caribbean locations search to solidify their progress within the post-pandemic period. An extended-term advertising technique is essential, specializing in key markets and strategic segments:
- Household group journey
- Enterprise journey
- Premium, high-end vacationers
Within the first section, Curaçao is the highest household vacation spot, with a 38% enhance in arrivals. This progress is pushed by robust demand from South American nations corresponding to Colombia (+97%), Ecuador (+76%), Peru (+75%), and Brazil (+71%). Different locations that stand out on this market are Belize (+35%), Aruba (+26%), and Sint Maarten (+23%).
The Caribbean tourism restoration is primarily pushed by leisure journey, which has seen an 11% enhance year-on-year within the first half of 2024. Nevertheless, the enterprise traveler section, whereas displaying a decrease efficiency with solely a 3% enhance, can be displaying indicators of restoration. That is encouraging information, as enterprise vacationers are likely to spend extra and contribute considerably to the native financial system. The report reveals promising progress on this section for 3 locations: the U.S. Virgin Islands (+29%), the Cayman Islands (+23%), and the Dominican Republic (+14%).
The report additionally highlights the affect of premium vacationers, who considerably contribute to the Caribbean tourism trade. Whereas worldwide arrivals to the Caribbean by air grew 9% in comparison with the primary half of 2023, bookings in high-end cabins (First and Enterprise Class) elevated 39% for a similar interval. This underscores the financial influence of premium vacationers and the significance of attracting them to the area.
Within the luxurious journey section, Turks and Caicos Islands (+73%), Cayman Islands (+68%), and U.S. Virgin Islands (+57%) present the perfect efficiency, collectively accounting for nearly 10% of all premium class arrivals to the area.
Intra-Caribbean Connectivity Opens the Door to Multi-destination Journey
The detailed air capability knowledge evaluation reveals that connectivity to the Caribbean has skilled exponential progress (+13%) within the first half of 2024 in comparison with the earlier yr.
Canada (+17%) is now crucial supply marketplace for the area, adopted by the US (+13%). Moreover, intra-Caribbean connectivity expanded by 20% yearly, a vital consider enabling multi-destination journey throughout the area. There have been notable will increase from Cancun (+78%), Barbados (+56%), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (+50%).
Intra-Caribbean connectivity is a game-changer, attracting extra vacationers and enabling regional locations to focus on progress in high-value segments.
Journey from Latin America to the Caribbean Exceeds Pre-pandemic Ranges
Latin America is a vital marketplace for the Caribbean, and it confirmed important progress within the first half of 2024. The expansion was 17% increased than in 2019 and 10% increased than in 2023.
Ecuador and Colombia are the highest supply markets, with arrivals growing by 20% yearly. Ecuadorian vacationers contribute to progress in locations like Aruba (up by 136%) and Curaçao (up by 70%). Colombian guests are driving Cuba’s restoration, with arrivals growing by 221% in comparison with the identical interval in 2023.
The very best-performing Latin American locations are Brazil (up by 12%), Argentina (up by 9%), Chile (up by 7%), and Uruguay (up by 3%). Nevertheless, it is necessary to notice that Peru is the one supply market within the area with a big lower, displaying a 13% drop. This fall might be attributed to financial situations, journey restrictions, or modifications in traveler preferences.
