Caribbean tourism arrivals hit 35 million in 2025

Caribbean tourism shattered records in 2025, welcoming 35 million stay-over arrivals — 900,000 more than 2024 and above pre-pandemic levels for the third straight year — while the cruise sector surged to a historic 35.5 million port visits, South American arrivals exploded 23.7% to 2.4 million, and every single month outpaced its 2019 equivalent, confirming the region has stopped recovering and started leading.

The Caribbean welcomed approximately 35 million stay-over arrivals in 2025, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization's annual report released on April 3, 2026 — a 2.5% year-on-year increase representing roughly 900,000 more visitors than in 2024 and the third consecutive year surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

The year opened cautiously, with a 0.3% dip in first-quarter arrivals amid global economic uncertainty. The region rebounded sharply, however, posting 5% growth in Q2 and 5.6% in Q3, before the fourth quarter settled at a modest 0.2% gain. Monthly arrivals ranged between 2.1 million and 3.5 million, peaking in March, July, and December — and critically, every single month of 2025 outperformed its 2019 equivalent.

The United States remained the Caribbean's dominant source market at 17 million visitors, a marginal 0.5% rise. South America delivered the standout performance, surging 23.7% to 2.4 million arrivals — fuelled by new flight routes and targeted marketing. Canada slipped 5.3% to an estimated 3.1 million visitors, while European arrivals fell 3.3% to approximately 5.1 million, with rising travel costs and global competition cited as key pressures.

On the accommodation front, average room occupancy eased slightly to 63.7% from 65% in 2024, though the Average Daily Rate climbed 2.1% to US$350.37 and Revenue Per Available Room rose 0.8% to US$223.12. The cruise sector posted its strongest year on record — 35.5 million port visits, up 5.2% year-on-year and 16.7% above 2019 levels, with The Bahamas alone recording a historic 10.7 million cruise visits.

• 35 million stay-over arrivals in 2025 — up 2.5% year-on-year • Third consecutive year surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 levels • Every month of 2025 exceeded its 2019 equivalent • USA remained top source market at 17 million visitors (+0.5%) • South America fastest-growing market at +23.7%, reaching 2.4 million arrivals • Canada fell 5.3% to approximately 3.1 million visitors • European arrivals declined 3.3% to approximately 5.1 million • Average room occupancy dipped to 63.7% from 65% in 2024 • ADR rose 2.1% to US$350.37; RevPAR up 0.8% to US$223.12 • Cruise sector recorded 35.5 million port visits — up 5.2% and 16.7% above 2019 • The Bahamas recorded a record 10.7 million cruise visits

Reaching 35 million stay-over arrivals — while simultaneously recording 35.5 million cruise visits — confirms that the Caribbean is no longer in recovery mode; it is in growth mode. The economic ripple effect is substantial: visitor spending supports billions in foreign exchange earnings, sustains employment across hospitality, transport, and micro-enterprise sectors, and anchors the fiscal health of small island economies that have few comparable revenue drivers.

"Caribbean cruise port visits reached 35.5 million in 2025 — 16.7% above 2019 pre-pandemic levels — led by The Bahamas recording a record 10.7 million cruise visits in a single year."

— Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Annual Report, April 2026

Social Conversation: positive

Social media reflects positive sentiment about Caribbean tourism reaching 35 million arrivals in 2025, highlighting growth and resilience.

tourism growthresilience amid challengesinternational arrivals

Voices on X

"Despite hurricanes and global geopolitical tensions, the Caribbean recorded 2.5 pc growth in international tourist arrivals, surpassing 35 million in 2025, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. #IO @ctotourism https://t.co/oxybRJJWhV"

@indiaoutbound · India · 1d ago · View on X

"Canada Joins the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and More in Driving Unprecedented Growth for Caribbean Tourism in 2025, Contributing to Record-Breaking Visitor Arrivals… https://t.co/euUJXaeMFT #CaribbeanTourism #TravelNews #TourismGrowth #VisitorArrivals #TravelCanada"

@Argentinarisks · 2d ago · View on X

"Caribbean Tourism Shows Resilient Growth Amid Global Headwinds in 2025

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (April 2, 2026) — Caribbean tourism continued its expansion in 2025, recording a 2.5% increase in international stay-over arrivals to an estimated 35 million visits, according to the http"

@CTAuthority_ · 2d ago · View on X

"#CARIBBEAN: Caribbean tourism continued its steady recovery in 2025, with international stay-over arrivals rising 2.5% to an estimated 35 million visits, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization."

@caribbeannewsuk · United Kingdom · 3d ago · 1 engagements · View on X

Based on 10 posts from X · Apr 6, 2026

Viewpoint: The 35 million milestone is not a fluke — it is the product of deliberate investment. The CTO's Director of Research, Aliyyah Shakeer, points to infrastructure upgrades, improved air connectivity, and targeted marketing as the structural pillars behind three consecutive years of post-pandemic growth. The South America story alone is a masterclass in market diversification: a 23.7% surge to 2.4 million arrivals, driven by new flight routes and focused campaigns, proving the Caribbean can build new audiences when it commits to the work.

Viewpoint: Behind the record headline sits a more complicated picture. Canadian arrivals dropped 5.3% to 3.1 million — still below pre-pandemic levels — while European visitors fell 3.3% to roughly 5.1 million, as rising travel costs and competing global destinations bite. Occupancy rates eased to 63.7%, and a Q1 contraction of 0.3% revealed just how quickly external shocks — economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, Hurricane Melissa — can soften demand. Structural gaps in air connectivity and high inter-island fares remain unresolved vulnerabilities.

Viewpoint: CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper is clear-eyed about what comes next: volume records must now give way to quality and community benefit. With South America still representing a fraction of its potential from a continent of 440 million people, and cruise visits already at 35.5 million — 16.7% above 2019 — the Caribbean's next chapter depends on turning tourist arrivals into lasting prosperity for the people who call these islands home.

Three years above pre-pandemic levels, with 35 million stay-over visitors. Every single month of 2025 beating its 2019 equivalent. Caribbean tourism is no longer bouncing back — it has reset its ceiling entirely.

But records deserve scrutiny, not just celebration. Canadian arrivals fell 5.3% and European visitors dropped 3.3%, proof that competing destinations are fighting hard for the same wallets. The Canadian fall is especially interesting, given that Canadians appear to be avoiding the US as a tourist destination following tension between the two countries. The assumption that the Caribbean would benefit from that market change seems to be incorrect.

A Q1 contraction — however brief — is a reminder that external shocks, from economic jitters to Hurricane Melissa, can unsettle even the most buoyant market overnight.

The South America story is the one worth studying: a 23.7% surge, built on new routes and deliberate marketing. That is not luck — that is strategy. The Caribbean needs more of it, applied to air connectivity gaps, sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring that 35 million arrivals translate into tangible prosperity for the people who actually live here.