Sunday, July 20, 2025
By June and or July 2025, the Caribbean leaders include; Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Barbados, which is one of the fastest growing sectors for Caribbean tourism, marking record visitor numbers, new flights being introduced, luxury hotels opening, growing cruise capacity and far-reaching tax changes to seek to capture a larger share of travel spending. This boom is not only reinvigorating national economies, but also changing the way the region deals, sells, and monetizes its tourism — inaugurating a new era of scale, strategy, and sustainability across island destinations.
New Flights Boost Regional and International Access
Air connectivity continues to surge. Caribbean Airlines launched non-stop flights from San Juan to Dominica and increased service from Trinidad, helping Dominica reconnect with major markets. United Airlines announced a second weekly Newark–Dominica flight starting in October, joining American’s Miami route.
In the Dutch Caribbean, Z Air launched new Curaçao–St. Maarten service. LATAM will connect Bogotá to Aruba and Curaçao in December, expanding South American access. The Bahamas also saw flight expansion: American Airlines is increasing Miami–Eleuthera and Abaco flights to three daily departures during winter. Meanwhile, Canada’s Porter Airlines launches flights to Nassau from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton between November and December.
JetBlue is scaling back, suspending its San Juan–Cancun service after August due to low demand.
Hotel Openings and Luxury Upgrades
High-end resorts are multiplying. Hilton opened its first all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic with the 500-room Zemi Miches Punta Cana. Aruba saw the debut of Secrets Baby Beach, while the St. Regis Aruba prepares to open late 2025. In Barbados, the Royalton CHIC will be rebranded under Marriott as Royalton Vessence, with a focus on wellness and design.
Saint Lucia’s new Sapphire Sands Villas open this summer offering residential-style resort stays. South Caicos in Turks and Caicos welcomed Salterra Resort by Marriott’s Luxury Collection. Puerto Rico will soon debut Verano, a boutique hotel in San Juan’s Santurce district.
Record-Breaking Cruise Tourism
Cruise arrivals hit historic highs. The Dominican Republic welcomed 1.63 million cruise passengers in the first half of 2025, while Antigua, USVI, and BVI reported double-digit growth. New mega-ships and private destinations are on the way, including Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club in Nassau and Carnival’s Celebration Key in Grand Bahama.
The Bahamas overhauled cruise taxes effective July 1. Cruise lines now pay \$23–\$25 per passenger depending on stop type. VAT applies to all sales on cruise-operated private islands, and new duties and work permit enforcement are in place.
Visitor Numbers and Economic Growth
Tourism data shows explosive growth. The Dominican Republic recorded 6.1 million arrivals in six months—its best first-half ever. Jamaica welcomed 2.3 million visitors and earned US\$2.4 billion. The BVI saw a 3.6% rise in arrivals, with a 52% jump in day-trippers.
Jamaica forecasts full-year earnings of over \$4.3 billion. Growth in group travel, regional arrivals, and Latin American markets is accelerating across multiple islands.
Tax Reforms and New Tourism Fees
Governments are reshaping tourism revenue models. The Bahamas introduced cruise tax increases. Barbados delayed a new airport tax but continues nightly room levies. Jamaica is cracking down on Airbnb tax collection. St. Lucia, Curaçao, and Belize enforce accommodation or conservation fees.
Meanwhile, Antigua, Dominica, and others reformed their citizenship-by-investment programs to avoid U.S. visa penalties.
Climate, Health, and Travel Safety
The region remains safe and open. There are no COVID restrictions. Dengue prevention is ongoing, with no major outbreaks. Sargassum seaweed is affecting some eastern coasts but is easing. Summer heatwaves and Saharan dust events are occurring, but hurricane season has been quiet so far.
Haiti remains under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to unrest, but most islands are at Level 1 or 2.
Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados are leading the Caribbean tourism boom in 2025 due to record arrivals, expanded air routes, new luxury resorts, cruise surges, and aggressive tax reforms. These changes are reshaping the region’s travel economy by boosting access, revenue, and long-term sustainability.
Campaigns and Regional Initiatives
Jamaica’s “70 Days of Love” promotion offers steep travel discounts. The Caribbean Tourism Organization launched its Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, promoting sustainability and regional integration. Barbados will host major tourism events like SOTIC and CHTA’s CHIEF Summit this fall.
Cultural festivals in Antigua, Saint Lucia, and Barbados are drawing high international attendance, rounding out a historic season of Caribbean tourism success.
