St. Vincent Unites with Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic Cayman Islands and More in Leading the Unstoppable Rise of Caribbean Tourism Sector: New Report – Travel And Tour World

St. Vincent unites with Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic Cayman Islands and More as all nine destinations drive the unstoppable rise of the Caribbean tourism sector through record-breaking visitor arrivals and bold regional growth strategies, according to a new report. Together, these destinations are leading the region’s unstoppable rise by posting double-digit growth in visitor arrivals, especially from the U.S. market, and showcasing coordinated strategies in branding, infrastructure, and international airlift that are driving an unprecedented wave of tourism recovery and expansion in early 2025.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Leads With Unmatched Growth

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has officially recorded the highest year-on-year growth in U.S. tourism for Q1 2025, surging by 74.8% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth places SVG at the top among 11 Caribbean nations reporting positive gains from the American market. But its tourism rise isn’t limited to U.S. visitors alone. SVG also posted a 12.8% increase in total arrivals from all markets in the first quarter of 2025, building on the momentum of a 27.2% jump in stay-over visitors in 2024, which closed at 102,766 arrivals.

According to Tourism Minister Carlos James, this growth is the result of “innovative campaigns, international partnerships, and strong destination branding,” adding that tourism now represents one of the most dynamic forces behind SVG’s economic development. He emphasized that tourism is more than numbers—it’s a job creator, an investment magnet, and a growth engine for the entire country.

Jamaica Rebounds with Renewed Confidence

Jamaica is showing strong signs of recovery in 2025, especially from the U.S. market, where visitor arrivals surged by 28% in Q1 compared to the same period last year. This sharp rebound followed the U.S. State Department’s decision to lower its travel advisory for Jamaica from Level 3 to Level 2, which helped restore traveler confidence and sparked renewed interest in the island’s tourism offerings. With expanded airlift from major American cities and increased investment in safety, Jamaica has managed to rebuild momentum across its key markets.

While there were slight fluctuations in total arrivals during the early months of 2025 due to seasonal slowdowns and broader U.S. travel anxiety, Jamaica’s overall outlook remains highly positive. The country is targeting 4.5 million total visitors this year and expects to generate over US $4.6 billion in tourism revenue, fueled by a blend of cruise expansion, resort openings, and intra-Caribbean traffic. With an aggressive push to strengthen regional partnerships and diversify its visitor base, Jamaica is reclaiming its position as one of the Caribbean’s most resilient and sought-after destinations.

Curaçao Delivers Across the Board

Not far behind SVG, Curaçao made waves with its own impressive growth. In Q1 2025, the Dutch Caribbean island posted a 23.5% increase in U.S. visitor arrivals and an even more impressive 16.6% growth across all international markets. These numbers not only place Curaçao second in U.S. market growth but also at the very top regionally in overall percentage gains.

Tourism officials attribute this surge to airlift expansions from North America and Europe, refreshed branding initiatives, and improved visitor experiences across resorts, historical districts, and beach zones.

Barbados Strengthens Its U.S. Market Position

Barbados also stood out, reporting a 22% growth in U.S. arrivals for Q1 2025. While the island has long been a favorite for American travelers, the increase is particularly notable given the competitive regional environment.

Officials from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. credit enhanced digital marketing, strengthened airline partnerships, and product diversification—from culinary tourism to sports and wellness—for helping the country maintain a strong edge in a recovering travel landscape.

Antigua Reaches New Heights

Antigua and Barbuda recorded a 12.4% growth in visitors from the U.S. market in Q1 2025, continuing a strong upward trend. With a renewed focus on luxury tourism, niche offerings like sailing and wellness retreats, and investments in hotel infrastructure, Antigua has successfully positioned itself as a premium destination for both new and returning travelers.

Tourism executives say that this growth is aligned with the government’s strategic vision to maximize visitor yield while protecting the island’s natural and cultural assets.

Bermuda Climbs with Consistency

Despite its location in the North Atlantic, Bermuda was one of the Caribbean-adjacent destinations recognized for robust growth in the region’s report. The island posted a 9.8% increase in overall tourist arrivals during Q1 2025. While Bermuda’s tourism board has traditionally targeted high-income travelers from the eastern United States, recent campaigns have expanded reach to include younger demographics and group travel experiences.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority credited enhanced digital connectivity, upgraded cruise infrastructure, and targeted social campaigns for the positive shift.

Dominica Emerges as a Green Getaway

Dominica, often marketed as “The Nature Island,” achieved an overall 9.6% increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025. Known for eco-tourism, volcanic landscapes, and low-density travel, Dominica has carved out a niche in sustainable tourism that’s gaining serious international attention.

Investments in luxury eco-resorts, improved ferry links, and new flight routes have helped turn Dominica into one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing boutique destinations.

Grenada Shows Double-Digit Growth

Grenada is another standout, posting an 18% increase in total arrivals for Q1 2025. The island also saw cruise tourism rise by 17.8%, pointing to a balanced growth strategy across both land-based and cruise segments.

The Grenada Tourism Authority pointed to targeted promotions in North America and Europe, as well as the relaunch of major events like Spicemas and the Grenada Chocolate Festival, as key factors drawing visitors in record numbers.

Dominican Republic Maintains Volume Leadership

Already one of the Caribbean’s largest tourism markets, the Dominican Republic added to its lead with 3.35 million total visitors in Q1 2025, including over 1 million cruise passengers. The country’s consistent performance represents a 15.4% year-over-year increase, cementing its role as a regional heavyweight.

Strong investments in resort development, consistent airline connectivity, and aggressive international marketing continue to make the Dominican Republic a top choice for travelers from the Americas and Europe alike.

Cayman Islands Sees Sustained Growth

Rounding out the regional leaders, the Cayman Islands posted continued growth in Q1 2025. Although official percentage increases weren’t disclosed, the island reported surges in hotel occupancy, tourism tax revenue, and extended stays—indicators of a healthy, expanding tourism economy.

Officials highlighted improvements in airlift access, high-end hotel development, and focused outreach in key North American markets as the main drivers of growth.

St. Vincent has united with Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic Cayman Islands and More to lead the unstoppable rise of Caribbean tourism, driven by record-breaking visitor growth, strategic marketing, and expanded air connectivity across the region.

A Regional Movement Gains Momentum

Across the board, these nine destinations—St. Vincent, Curaçao, Barbados, Antigua, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands—are not just growing individually but collectively driving the Caribbean’s transformation into a high-performing, globally competitive tourism region. This synchronized growth, built on strategic leadership, digital innovation, and destination diversification, signals that the Caribbean tourism sector is not just recovering—it’s thriving like never before.