US Virgin Islands Unify with St. Vincent, Curaçao, Belize, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Grenada in Caribbean Travel Boom Fueled by New Air Routes, Cruise Gains, and Hotel Growth – Travel And Tour World

US Virgin Islands unify with St. Vincent, Curaçao, Belize, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Grenada in Caribbean travel boom energized by newfound air service, cruise victories, and hotel growth as all seven regional heavies mark brilliant tourism outcome in first six months of 2025. Together, these seven regional heavyweights redefine regional post-pandemic comeback with powerful one-two punch of expanded international airlift, surging cruise traffic, and hotel demand milestones. Backed by infrastructure investment, diversified tourism product, and targeted marketing initiatives, this group of high-performing destinations is not only leading the Caribbean’s comeback—but setting global tourism industry benchmarks.

U.S. Virgin Islands Become the Caribbean Comeback Flagship in Tourism

The U.S. Virgin Islands is basking in one of its strongest tourism cycles to date. The islands saw 1,092,139 total visitors in 2024 consisting of 305,876 overnight air arrivals, 768,293 cruise ship passengers and 17,970 day-trippers—a total representing a 9.8% increase over the previous year. The good numbers placed the U.S. Virgin Islands in the list of the Caribbean’s top-visited islands.

That pattern persisted in 2025, with tourism visitation steadily growing for the first half of the year. In the first quarter 2025, the territory welcomed 106,750 overnight travelers and 191,089 in the second quarter, yielding 3.1% growth from Q2 2024. The growth mirrors the popularity of U.S. markets, in particular the Midwest and the Northeast, along with rising interest in year-round Caribbean breaks due to enhanced connectivity, more cruise product, and expanding rooms inventory.

Cruise ship traffic added more muscle, with 504,665 cruise tourists in Q2 alone setting a record for second-quarter maritime visitation. This air-and-sea double-push has made the U.S. Virgin Islands the regional comeback and growth champion.

Hotels and Rentals Enter High Gear with Revenue Boost

For the entire accommodation sector, performance remains ahead of expectations in 2025. Hotel occupancy rose 4.3% year-to-date compared to the previous year, as visitors flocked to the islands for vacation and cultural events. Tax collections in hotels were 6.7% higher than during 2024’s year-to-date and surged 41% over the 2023 fiscal to reflect consistent rate increases and higher visitor spending.

Even the shorter-term rentals are gaining popularity. Financial collections from these properties to date come in close to 11% ahead of the previous year, and these properties, just like Vrbo and Airbnb, have high occupancy. The concomitant growth in mainstream hotels and in private rentals mirrors the territory’s general popularity, with opportunities to suit every type of traveler—all the way from sophisticated resort aficionados to families and isolation-seeking workers.
U.S. Virgin Islands now top the Caribbean in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), both over 30% higher than the regional average. These achievements speak to more than greater volume but to visitor appreciation, brand equity, and confidence in the market.

New Routes Connect More Cities Than Ever Before

Air connectivity is one of the main reasons behind the territory’s tourism surge in the last couple of years. The U.S. Virgin Islands inaugurated nonstop daily flights from Dallas to St. Thomas in 2025, greatly exposing the territory to the Texan and the broader American south market.

To supplement this momentum, the following two new direct flights from Boston and Chicago to St. Thomas will debut in December 2025, just before the high season. The flights will access previously untapped segments of tourists from the Midwest and Northeast, the islands’ longtime-leading source markets.

Also in the works for late 2025 is a new nonstop service from Chicago to St. Croix to provide direct access to the territory’s biggest island and increase tourism flow throughout its entire geography. This additional network of flights not only diversifies arrival patterns but also decreases seasonality, promoting the more balanced and sustainable tourism calendar.

US Virgin Islands Unlocks the Skies with Strategic Mainland Links

American Airlines

• Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) → St. Thomas (STT) – Daily nonstop, launched early 2025
• Chicago (ORD) → St. Thomas (STT) – Launching December 2025
• Chicago (ORD) → St. Croix (STX) – Starting late 2025
• Boston (BOS) → St. Thomas (STT) – Launching December 2025

Cruising Through Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic

The cruise industry remains the backbone of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ visitor economy. In Q2 2025, the territory hosted 504,665 cruise ship visitors, more than in Q2 2024 and cements its role as one of the Caribbean’s leading cruise ports.

During the year, St. Thomas and St. John will welcome approximately 1,487,753 cruise visitors in 414 ship calls, representing a 4% increase over the previous year. St. Croix will welcome 208,086 cruise visitors in 86 calls in the territory’s efforts to increase cruise tourism beyond its flagship terminal.

With modernized maritime ports, enhanced shore excursions, and cultural events tied to passenger interest in cruises, the islands have been able to enhance maritime attractiveness. The cruise layout remains focused on the spread in economics, quality of experience, and sustainable capacity handling.

City Guide: Where to Go in the U.S. Virgin Islands

• St. Thomas – Vibrant capital with shopping, nightlife, and historic structures. Charlotte Amalie’s waterfront buzzes with cafes and stores, but Magens Bay is one of the Caribbean’s top beaches.
• St. John – Nature lovers gather in Virgin Islands National Park, encompassing over one-half the island. Snorkeling reefs, hiking trails, and beautiful bays cater to eco-tourism and health retreats.
• St. Croix – The cultural center of the territory, home to historic towns Christiansted and Frederiksted. Visitors enjoy rum distillery tours, marine preserves, and coral reef diving at Buck Island.

If you seek white-sand beaches, colonial heritage, or rainforest adventure, the U.S. Virgin Islands has something special for you.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tops Caribbean Comeback with Record-Breaking Tourism Surge

St. Vincent & the Grenadines has been the region’s biggest success story, closing the year 2024 with 102,766 stayover visitors—a remarkable 27.2% increase over the preceding year by far the greatest in the entire Caribbean. The growth was due to increased airlift, massive hotel openings, and growing U.S. demand.

Such momentum continued during 2025, specifically during the first six months of the year. In Q1 2025, the stayover visits increased by yet another 12.8% with a mind-boggling 74.8% increase in American tourists. Such increase is more than just comeback—it’s the result of the judicious tourism repositioning to focus on the high-end, the sunset and blue-water cruise lovers, and the eco-experiences.

The growth continued into Q2 2025 because of the high Easter travel and Carnival season, with the national tourism authorities predicting double-digit growth to carry on during the summer. The government anticipates 2025 to mark the best year in the history of the nation’s tourism.

New Hotels Get Booked Fast as Occupancy Soars Across Islands

Accommodation in St. Vincent has been privy to some high-end hotels, all contributing to the 2024–2025 tourism boom in the destination. At the forefront of the pack is the newly opened Sandals St. Vincent, the all-inclusive innovator behind historic arrival growth primarily from American and Canadian tourists.

Many other significant openings also pushed the trend, such as Holiday Inn Express, La Vue Boutique Hotel, Mayah’s Suite, and development of eco-lodges to cater to yacht tourists and nature lovers. During the last Carnival period, hotel occupancy throughout the country reached 100% mostly due to the majority of hotels being reserved for consecutive weeks.

These added properties not only augmented the destination’s room inventory but its global popularity as well. Luxury brands now have future investment targets in the Grenadines islands of Bequia and Canouan, which continue to gain popularity with high-net-worth travelers.

Increased Airlift Fosters Growth in Visitors from Caribbean and United States

New and supplementary routes have been the driving force to connect St. Vincent to regional and transoceanic markets. Early 2025 witnessed Sunrise Airways launch services to St. Vincent, connecting the island to a larger Caribbean air hub network. Incumbent carriers such as American Airlines, InterCaribbean, WINAIR, and Caribbean Airlines have either increased frequencies or launched new connections from main cities.

Direct service from Miami is a principal traffic generator, whilst campaigns from London by the SVG Tourism Authority have produced further interest and bookings from the UK market.

Argyle International Airport, currently operating at near capacity, is in negotiations for incremental infrastructure upgrades to accommodate larger aircraft and wider arrival areas. These plans try to reduce travel friction and facilitate year-round demand.

St. Vincent Expands Its Reach with New Regional Gateways

• Sunrise Airways
  • St. Vincent ↔ Antigua, St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada – Launched mid-2025
• Delta Air Lines
  • Atlanta (ATL) → St. Vincent (SVD) – Seasonal route, Dec 2025–Apr 2026

The Boutique Cruising and Yachting Industry Achieves Worldwide Appeal

Unlike the other regional mega-ship ports, St. Vincent & the Grenadines has developed its specialty as high-end, intimate cruises and luxury yacht cruising. The Kingstown Cruise Terminal in 2025 is drawing more boutique and smaller ship calls, with high interest from high-end cruise lines intrigued by cultural immersion and nature excursions.

Yachting tourism has also seen tremendous growth, with Tobago Cays, Bequia, and Mustique drawing private charters and superyachts. Yacht charters now account for the majority of overnight visitation in the Grenadines, creating local business in outlying communities and driving demand for gourmet provisioning, marina service, and private tours.

In addition to efforts to enhance port services and simplify boat users’ customs clearance, sea-based tourism in the country has now become one of its fastest-growing pillars.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines City Guide: Where to Go

• Kingstown (St. Vincent) – The capital integrates Caribbean heritage with vibrant local culture. Don’t miss the Botanical Gardens, Fort Charlotte, and hectic open-air markets where you can purchase local spices and crafts.
• Bequia – Relaxed island getaway popular with yachties and sun worshippers. Friendly locals, tranquil harbors, and quaint waterfront restaurants make for the ultimate retreat.
• Canouan – An ultra-exclusive Caribbean getaway with high-end resorts, white sandy shores, and even airport access for private aircraft.
• Union Island – Home to the gateway to the Tobago Cays, this island is ideal for kiteboarding, sailing, and discovering remote cays by catamaran.

Whatever your mode of arrival, by air, by ferry, or by private boat, St. Vincent & the Grenadines offers unmatched diversity, natural beauty, and burgeoning high-end appeal.

Curaçao Wins Global Praise in Balanced Air, Sea, and Stayovers Growth

Curaçao has been one of the more consistent growth generators in Caribbean tourism, basking in a record 700,000+ stayover arrivals in 2024. The pace of the trend only increased in 2025. During Q1 2025, the island boasted 215,366 stayover visitors and 308,249 cruise passengers for a combined total of more than 535,600 arrivals in just three months.

For the period up to May 2025, stayover tourism remained strong with 58,995 visitors, a 9% increase from the previous year, showing vigorous interest in the classic markets of the Netherlands, the United States, and Colombia. Successful destination branding and diversified Curaçao source markets have seen the island register above-regional means for air and sea traffic.

The combination of authentic culture, UNESCO-protected architecture, and Dutch-Caribbean charm appeals to travelers in search of something more than the beach experience. Curaçao has come to the forefront as one of the top spots for wellness, diving, and slow travel in the southern Caribbean.

Hotels Continue to Grow and Upgrade as Visitor Nights Increase

Curaçao’s lodging market is catching surging arrivals. Upgrades have been undertaken for most of the already-existing resorts to standardize them to contemporary standards, and newly created high-end and boutique hotels have emerged onto the scene with a focus on design, sustainability, and experience-focused travel.

As of mid-2025, hotel occupancy is trending in the correct direction from the 2024 same period. Length of stay remains averaging over 7 nights, and repeat business to Curaçao is high, which shows client satisfaction and brand loyalty.

The Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association is also focusing on capacity and sustainability balance and carries out studies to balance visitor numbers in the long term without loss of quality. The latter is particularly important now that additional hotel investors show interest in the destination, being lured by government policy favoring green development and cultural conservation.

The new routes present opportunities for expansion from Europe and North America.

Air service is one of the cornerstones of Curaçao’s booming tourism economy. Having registered a 23% increase in North American arrivals in 2024, the island bolstered its global air network even more during 2025. Higher frequencies from Miami, New York, and Toronto have supported rising North American demand, and direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels continue to dominate the European sector.

Regional connectivity has also been improved to facilitate easy movement from Curaçao to neighboring islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, and St. Maarten. Airlines such as JetBlue, American Airlines, and Air Canada have maintained or increased schedule offerings due to consistent load factors.

Ongoing talks with other U.S. carriers and LCCs will produce new routes by end-2025, targeting the U.S. Midwest’s secondary cities and Latin American cities.

Curaçao Connects the Continents with New Transatlantic and U.S. Routes

• American Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada
  • Increased frequencies from Miami, New York, Toronto – Expanded in 2025
• New Route
  • Chicago (ORD) → Curaçao (CUR) – Launching December 2025
• Divi Divi Air & Winair
  • Curaçao ↔ Sint Maarten, Bonaire – Expanded regional access

Port Receives Hundreds of Thousands in the First Six Months of 2025

Curaçao’s cruise industry is pursuing solid year-to-year advances. In Q1 2025 alone, the island hosted 308,249 cruise visitors and expects more gains during Q2 as the line collaborations come to fruition. The Curaçao Ports Authority has been improving passenger amenities and designing more extensive shore excursions to accommodate longer stops in the ports.

The World Heritage capital city of Willemstad has proven to be a gem for cruiseship guests, with pedestrian-friendly charm, brightly painted colonial architecture, and close access to the beach and cultural sites. The island’s ability to accommodate both the mega ships and the high-end boutique ships allows the cruiseship business to have a diversified product opportunity and reinforces its growing reputation as being a high-end, crowd-balancing stop in the port.

Curaçao City Guide: Where to Go in Curaçao

• Willemstad – The picturesque Curaçao capital has typical pastel-hued Dutch architecture, the floating Queen Emma Bridge, and lively waterfront markets. Don’t forget architecture, museums, and cultural cuisine.
• Jan Thiel – Trendy coastal neighborhood with high-end resorts, waterside restaurants, and nightlife. Good for families, couples, and watersports enthusiasts.
• Westpunt – The quiet side of the island, where you will discover the best dive sites, sea cliffs, and hidden beaches like Grote Knip and Playa Kalki.
• Otrobanda – As part of Willemstad but feeling different, Otrobanda is the cultural neighborhood with hip galleries, colorful city streets with many murals, and emerging boutique coffee scene.

No matter how you get there, Curaçao embodies Caribbean spirit and European flair — to become the 2025 travel boom’s hot spot.

Belize Rises to the Top with Nature-Based Tourism and Growing Airlift

Belize has been the Central American and Caribbean region’s leading tourism recovery, registering 562,405 overnight visits in 2024, amounting to 21% growth from 2023 and topping its pre-pandemic 2019 numbers by nearly 12%. This exponential growth in demand stems from Belize’s growing recognition for nature-inspired, heritage-rich, and responsible getaway experiences.

In Q1 2025, the trend continued. The overnight arrivals increased by another 2% year-over-year and the number of cruise passengers by 5%, showing consistent momentum by land and sea. Belize’s unusual position as Caribbean coast country possessing rainforests, Mayan ruins, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world is generating diverse interest from U.S., Canadian, and European travelers.

The national tourism board has upbeat advance bookings in Q2 and Q3 2025 thanks to broader air access as well as strong interest in the areas of small group adventure travel, eco-lodging, and culinary exploration.

Rise of the Accommodations as Travelers Seek Flexibility and Immerision

The Belize tourism industry is also enjoying simultaneous advances, with dazzling development in boutique hotels, jungle resorts, and short-term vacation rentals. In Q4 2024, the country registered a 32% year-over-year increase in accommodation and food services one of the strongest-performing sectors in the national economy.

A range of new and renovated properties has been created in coastal and jungle regions to offer tourists immersion from reef-to-rainforest packages to inclusive jungle eco-lodges and reeffront villas. High-end travelers continue to seek out Placencia, Ambergris Caye, and the Mountain Pine Ridge region for customized, responsible accommodations.

The Belize Tourism Board has also amplified training programs to cater to local guesthouse owners, improving services and giving more variety for solo travelers.

Increased Air Connectivity by Strategic Partnerships

The Belize airlift has shown tremendous growth as a result of concerted government partnerships and industry initiatives. At the BOOM X Airlift Development Conference in early 2025, tourism officials announced ambitious plans to attract more carriers and increase weekly flying from North America and Latin America.
Flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Toronto remain the core of the air market, and additional service from Los Angeles and Denver has increased access from the American West Coast. Numerous air carriers have incorporated larger aircraft to major routes, increasing capacity during peak times of travel.

In addition, local carriers like Maya Island Air and Tropic Air supplement inter-island routes and access to emerging inland gateways. The national connectivity also supports overnight tourism in addition to emerging multi-destination trips around Belize.

Belize Builds Bridges with North America Through Coastal Connectivity

• United Airlines
  • San Francisco (SFO) → Belize City (BZE) – Seasonal Saturdays, extended into 2025
• Air Canada
  • Montreal (YUL) → Belize City (BZE) – Launching December 2025

Robust Port Business Boosts Cruise Industry’s Recovery

Following this era of world-wide cruise unpredictability, Belize maritime tourism is recovering in good health. In 2024, cruise passenger numbers increased by 14% and in Q1 2025 this trend persisted in the form of a 5% increase over the previous year.

Belize City is the country’s premier cruise gateway with direct access to adventure tours, cultural attractions, and wildlife excursions. Port excursions to Altun Ha, Lamanai, and cave tubing in Cayo remain best-selling excursions for cruise passengers.

The company is still seeking additional port developments and private-island cruise partnerships for long-term cruise capacity and to further advance guest experience. Environmental stewardship is part of the planning process, in conjunction with the Belize general goal of sustainable tourism.

Belize City Guide: Top Spots to Explore in Belize

• San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) – The island’s tourism center features oceanfront allure, first-world diving conditions, and convenience to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Blue Hole. Must-do for snorkelers, divers, and those seeking nightlife.
• Placencia – Laid-back peninsula with luxury villas, boutique resorts, and some of Belize’s best beaches. Perfect for honeymooners, epicures, and reef excursions.
• Belize City – While normally a cruise ship stop-over, it offers colonial architecture, museums, and local culture for overnight guests.
• San Ignacio – The jungle adventure centre, with access to the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, jungle explorations, waterfalls, and caving expeditions such as Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM).
• Hopkins & Dangriga – Cultural capitals for Garifuna drums, music, and cultural experiences. Best for travelers looking to experience Belize’s mixed African and Caribbean heritage.

From rainforest to reef, Belize offers unparalleled natural beauty, living history, and immersion travel—all with one of the region’s strongest tourism growth curves in 2025.

Dominican Republic Dominates Caribbean Travel Market in 2025

The Caribbean’s leading destination by volume, the Dominican Republic saw historic 8.54 million air arrivals in 2024. Those figures solidified its status as the most-visited destination in the Caribbean, with millions more visiting by cruise ship and cross-border ground transport.

In Q1 2025, the country welcomed 4.37 million total visitors in the capacity of approximately 3.07 million air travelers and 1.3 million cruise travelers. The trend continued in Q2 2025 as well when 770,403 visitors stopped by in June month alone, marking a 1.5% increase during the month in comparison to the previous year. May saw yet another 677,000 visitors, again indicating the country’s ability to reach high-season-level demand late in the year.

This high-powered show is supported by ambitious tourism development planning, favorable exchange rates, and the country’s deep reservoir of all-inclusives, colonial cities, and natural wonders.

Record Hotel Pipeline Spurs Destination Development

The tourism sector in the Dominican Republic is booming at record highs. The country is undergoing massive investment in new resorts and high-end properties in 2025, mostly in the emerging Miches region, where more than 3,000 rooms will be introduced by the end of the year. The area is being billed as the next Punta Cana, with eco-luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and seafront villas.

Existing markets such as Punta Cana, Cap Cana, and La Romana continue to grow, and urban cities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago continue to see growth in the boutique and MICE arenas.

National tourism revenues will be more than USD $21 billion in 2025 and the hospitality sector will contribute more than 15% of GDP. The growth is being facilitated by public-private partnerships, international hotel chains, and favorable foreign direct investment conditions.

Sky-High Airlift beyond Continues to

The Dominican Republic’s air connectivity is one of its highlights, and 2025 has witnessed further expansion. Budget airline Arajet added new routes from Newark, Miami, Orlando, and San Juan to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, significantly enhancing traffic from the U.S. East Coast.

In addition, Air Transat added 15,500 seasonal seats from Canada to the Samaná Peninsula, improving access to one of the fastest-growing eco-beach regions in the nation. The Dominican Republic also inked important air arrangements during ANATO 2025 in the form of agreements with Avianca, Copa, and Wingo and expects more than 375,000 Colombian tourists to arrive in the nation during the current year.

Infrastructure is catching up: Las Américas International Airport just outside Santo Domingo is in the process of undergoing a USD $30 million terminal expansion to increase passenger handling and speed the arrival experience.

Dominican Republic Goes Global with Low-Cost Expansion Blitz

• Arajet (Low-Cost Carrier)
  • Newark (EWR) → Santo Domingo (SDQ) – Daily service from June 2025
  • Miami (MIA) → Santo Domingo & Punta Cana – Launched spring 2025
  • San Juan (SJU) → Santo Domingo – Operational as of 2025
  • Upcoming: Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Denver – Pending late 2025/early 2026 approvals

Cruise Industry Sets New Records in Early 2025

Cruise tourism is thriving in addition to air arrival. The country has welcomed over 1.29 million cruise tourists by April 2025 as passenger numbers and ship calls reached a new record high. In the month of January alone, the Dominican Republic handled 395,555 cruise tourists in affirming its growing status as a multi-port cruise behemoth.

Terminals in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Taino Bay remain in the busiest in the Caribbean, offering excursions with culture, adventure, and relaxation. The cruise lines have been recognizing the Dominican Republic for the prepared infrastructure, stable services, and close proximity to key U.S. home ports.

New ports and partnerships are planned to accommodate mega ships and provide additional shore excursions, helping to spread cruise revenue to smaller towns and inland communities.

City Guide: Where to Go in the Dominican Republic

• Punta Cana – The country’s flagship resort region with picturesque shores, enormous all-inclusives, and activities from zip-line tours to snorkeling.
• Santo Domingo – The Americas’ oldest capital city, home to the Colonial Zone (UNESCO World Heritage Site), vibrant night life, and shops.
• Puerto Plata – Offers history and beach in equal part, with colonial-style fortifications, cable cars over the mountains, and access to the Amber Coast.
• Samaná – An island natural marvel known for whale watching, eco-tourism, and beautiful natural attractions such as El Limón Waterfall and Playa Rincón.
• Miches – The latest hot spot for high-end Dominican properties, where sustainability in design and scarcity accompany white-sand beachfronts and jungle terrain.

With volume, variety, and visionary planning, the Dominican Republic continues to be the regional flagship in 2025—and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

The Bahamas Breaks Records and Redefines Island Luxury in 2025

The Bahamas began 2025 following a historic achievement. In 2024, the country welcomed a record-breaking 11.22 million foreign visitors, a 16.2% increase over 2023. Both air travelers and cruise guests were counted, consistent with the country’s dual role as both fly-in and cruise-in destination.

The pace continues forward in Q1 2025, as The Bahamas logs approximately 3.3 million arrivals, representing a 9% increase year-over-year. Resilient demand has persisted through Q2, including the Easter season and first summer breaks, as family holidays, weddings, and luxury retreats continue to be in high demand.

The tourism success of the country is due to its close distance to the major U.S. cities, diversified islands, and global campaign in branding The Bahamas not only as a beach destination—but as a lifestyle destination.

Luxury and Family Extensions Expand the Hospitality Industry

2025 hotel conditions remain good, backed by healthy occupancy and a pipeline of new and refurbished hotels. The Out Islands, also known as the Family Islands, have more investment in boutique resorts and eco-luxury hotels, primarily in Exuma, Eleuthera, and Long Island.

Recent high-end properties have also kept the wave rolling. Luxury hotels like Goldwynn Resort & Residences, Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau, and growth at Baha Mar and Atlantis Paradise Island are appealing to the next generation of travelers—who demand experience-intensive, culture-filled luxury.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has also reinforced its community-based tourism emphasis, in ensuring the smaller, family-run guesthouses and boutique hotels have more exposure along with further training support.

In-Flight Connectivity Soars with Route Expansion and Industry Partnerships

In 2025, The Bahamas continued its international air network expansion. Major U.S. carriers including American, JetBlue, United, and Delta maintained heavy traffic from the Eastern gateways of Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York but added more West Coast and Midwestern presence.
Another important addition during Q2 2025 was a new nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Abaco to enhance access to the northern Family Islands. The Bahamas also hosted Routes Americas 2025, the annual global air service development forum, producing discussions about some new seasonal and permanent routes from Canada, Central America, and Europe.

Some airports, including Lynden Pindling International Airport (Nassau) and Grand Bahama International Airport, revealed plans for modernization of infrastructure to handle increased arrivals and enhance passenger experience.

Bahamas Soars with Island-Hopping and U.S. Gateway Growth

• Aztec Airways
  • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) → Marsh Harbour (Abaco) – Daily nonstop, launched June 2025
• Future Routes
  • New services expected from Canada and Europe via Routes Americas 2025 hosting – Development ongoing

Thriving Cruise Industry Benefits from Mega-Port Investments and Expansion of Private Islands

Cruise tourism continues to be the backbone of The Bahamas’ arrival statistics. In Q1 2025, the country saw 2.76 million cruise ship tourists, a 11.5% increase from Q1 2024. Nassau Cruise Port, after being redeveloped at a cost of \$300 million, is now complete with larger berths, a world-class terminal, and immersive retail experiences.

Cruise lines also continue to make investments in private island stops such as Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, MSC Ocean Cay, and Disney’s Lighthouse Point – all of them delivering exclusive passenger experience along with confirming The Bahamas as the premier cruise destination.

New partnerships are being formed with the minor ports at Long Island, Cat Island, and Eleuthera to more evenly disperse cruise visitation and to reap benefits for local economies.

The Bahamas City Guide: Where to Go in The Bahamas

• Nassau (New Providence) – The capital has colonial character and urban energy. Explore the Queen’s Staircase, National Art Gallery, and shop along Bay Street before relaxing at Junkanoo Beach.
• Paradise Island – Home to iconic resorts including Atlantis and The Ocean Club, the high-end enclave boasts water parks, high-end dining, golf courses, and high-end shopping.
• Exuma – Paradise for nature enthusiasts, Exuma is famous for its clear waters, swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto, and vanishing-and-reappearing sandbars due to the fluctuation of the tide.
• Eleuthera & Harbour Island – Colorful and stylish, these islands provide pink sandy shores, boutique hotels, and celebrity-beloved allure with untouched coastlines.
• Abaco – Famous for boating, fishing, and quaint settlements such as Hope Town. Now easier to reach than ever before with direct flights from Florida.

No matter whether you’re arriving by sea or off the aircraft, The Bahamas is once again providing the five-star blend of island hospitality, convenience, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Grenada Keeps Up Its Streak of Success as the Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret Excelled in 2025

Grenada sustains its spectacular tourism record with 26 consecutive months of visitor increase to Q2 2025, one of the most stable regional success stories in the Caribbean. Although total national figures for 2024 and Q2 2025 remain in final stages of completion, leading indicators demonstrate record-shattering performance.

In February 2024, the country experienced a 31.7% increase in arrivals, and the trend persisted for the rest of the year and onward to 2025. Grenada Tourism Authority reports tourism will rise by an additional 20–25% in 2025 as demand for wellness, eco-tourism, and culinary expeditions continues to grow.

What’s different about Grenada’s growth is that it’s not just numbers—it’s value. Stopovers last longer, spending is more extensive, and travelers crave more community-based activities to tie in to the essence of the island.

Boutique Luxury Hotels Take the Lead as Inventory Expansion Continues

Grenada is in the midst of a quiet hospitality renaissance. 2024 and 2025 witnessed numerous high-end properties open or expand capacity, securely placing the island on the map for the luxury traveler. Those include the launch of Six Senses La Sagesse, the global leading wellness resort, and Beach House by Silversands in exclusive, one-to-one beachfront luxury.

Old favorites like Spice Island Beach Resort and Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel have updated their offerings, and tiny St. David and Northern Grenadines eco-lodges appeal to the next generation of eco-travelers.

In spite of the increase, the island has maintained its high-value, low-density philosophy. Through Q2 2025, hotel occupancy was high due to the presence of guests in search of the quieter and more genuine alternative to commercialized shores resorts.

Air Connectivity Becomes Robust with Increased International Connections

The airlift to Grenada has been significantly increased heading into and throughout 2025, bringing the island into fresh markets and decreasing layovers. Newly added service has originated from:

• JetBlue from New York (JFK)
• Air Canada from Toronto
• WestJet from Calgary
• interCaribbean Airways to Barbados and St. Vincent
• Sunrise Airways, the one publicizing Grenada in its broader Caribbean network

In addition, Delta Air Lines has promised to resume and augment service from Atlanta in the latter half of 2025, providing the essential southern U.S. link. The flights offer travelers the convenience and flexibility they seek for Grenada’s blend of nature, culture, and tranquil luxury.

Domestic capacity by SVG Air also aids in the inter-island flights to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, supplementing multi-island vacation opportunities.

Grenada Elevates Its Access with Luxury and Leisure Carriers

• JetBlue
  • New York (JFK) → Grenada (GND) – Ongoing nonstop service
• Air Canada & WestJet
  • Toronto & Calgary → Grenada – Expanded seasonal flights early 2025
• interCaribbean Airways & Sunrise Airways
  • Regional service from Barbados, St. Vincent, and Dominican Republic – Launched mid-2025
• Delta Air Lines
  • Atlanta (ATL) → Grenada (GND) – Seasonal relaunch in December 2025

Cruises’ Arrival Continues to Grow amid Experience-Based Shore Time Focus

Grenada’s cruise tourism is in high ascendancy. Between January and May 2025, the island welcomed 226,704 cruise ship passengers, representing 17.2% more than in the comparable period in 2024. The St. George’s Port has increasingly been the preference for high-end cruise line brands that value extensive shore immersion.

The Grenada way doesn’t stress quantity, but quality time spent on land. Guests come on land to explore cocoa plantations, spice plantations, waterfalls, and cooking classes—all to foster more intensive contact with indigenous culture.

Constant improvements in cruise terminal amenities and guided tour options have bolstered the experience of guests, and repeat cruise calls have already been booked deep into 2026.

Grenada City Guide: What to Do in Grenada

• St. George’s – The picturesque capital is a photogenic blend of colourful hillside buildings, cobbled alleys, and historic harbour. Visit the Fort George, the Grenada National Museum, and take a sunset stroll around the Carenage.
• Grand Anse Beach – Grenada’s flagship beach, renowned for soft white sand and turquoise sea. It’s also the hub of the island’s hotels, with restaurants, dive shops, and beach bars nearby.
• Gouyave – The island’s festival and fishing capital where you’ll find the weekly Fish Friday street party. Enjoy authentic Grenadian flavors and culture in this lively coastal village.
• St. David & La Sagesse – Best for those seeking isolation, nature trails, and birdwatching. Home to some of the newest high-end wellness retreats in Grenada.
• Carriacou & Petite Martinique – Grenada’s more relaxed sister islands, with sailing, snorkeling, and sleepy villages. Accessed by ferry or local flight, perfect for day trips or overnight escapes.

With its expanding air access, deluxe hotels, surging cruise industry, and untouched natural beauty, Grenada is no longer the Caribbean’s best-kept secret—it’s the buzzing epicenter of the Caribbean travel world.

US Virgin Islands becomes the latest to join St. Vincent, Curaçao, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Grenada in Caribbean travel boom being driven by clean air routes, cruise success, and hotel openings, as the seven nations all record record-breaking arrivals and infrastructure development in 2025. The boom is being driven by strategic connectivity, revitalized tourism products, and international demand by land, sea, and air that sustains.

As the Caribbean travel scene hits its busiest time to date, the US Virgin Islands, St. Vincent, Curaçao, Belize, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Grenada take the lead in the region’s historic rebound. All seven have not just surpassed pre-pandemic levels but have redesigned the future of sustainable high-value tourism by means of targeted air connectivity, incremental cruise capacity, and thriving hotel sectors.

Through continued investment, strategic partnerships, and shared commitment to cultural authenticity and guest experience, these seven tourism behemoths collectively position the Caribbean for global year-round relevance in the decades to come. The first six months of the year 2025 were just the beginning—and the Caribbean, reimagined and rising.