Picture an entire region surging with visitors, where a staggering $42.5 billion in tourism revenue flows into the Caribbean, from the Dominican Republic's record-breaking 10.1 million arrivals to Grenada's eco-tourism growth and the resilient comeback of Sint Maarten's cruise ports, proving the islands aren't just a getaway but a powerful economic engine.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Dominican Republic recorded 10.1 million international tourist arrivals, a 9% increase from 2022
- Jamaica saw 4.1 million visitors in 2023, with 2.9 million from the US marking a 12% YoY growth
- The Bahamas welcomed 3.8 million stopover and cruise passengers combined in 2023, up 15% from pre-pandemic levels
- Tourism in the Caribbean contributed $42.5 billion to GDP in 2023, representing 12.5% of regional GDP
- The sector supported 2.6 million jobs in the Caribbean in 2023, or 11.8% of total employment
- International visitor spending reached $35.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
- Jamaica hotel occupancy averaged 75% in 2023 with 4.1 million visitors
- Dominican Republic hotel rooms totaled 120,000 in 2023 with 82% occupancy
- Bahamas had 25,000 hotel rooms in 2023, average occupancy 78%
- US tourists accounted for 55% of all Caribbean arrivals in 2023 at 18.5 million
- Canada contributed 20% of visitors or 6.7 million to Caribbean in 2023
- UK market sent 2.8 million tourists to Caribbean in 2023, 8% growth
- Caribbean tourism projected to grow 5.2% annually to 2030, reaching 45 million arrivals
- Sustainable tourism investments hit $3.1 billion in 2023 across region
- Eco-certifications covered 25% of hotels by end-2023, up from 15% in 2022
Caribbean tourism surged in 2023, breaking records and boosting economies across the region.
Accommodation and Occupancy
- Jamaica hotel occupancy averaged 75% in 2023 with 4.1 million visitors
- Dominican Republic hotel rooms totaled 120,000 in 2023 with 82% occupancy
- Bahamas had 25,000 hotel rooms in 2023, average occupancy 78%
- Puerto Rico's 15,000 rooms saw 72% occupancy in FY2023
- Cuba operated 80,000 hotel rooms in 2023 at 65% occupancy
- Barbados 7,500 rooms achieved 80% occupancy in 2023 peak season
- Antigua had 4,200 rooms with 75% annual occupancy in 2023
- Aruba's 10,000 rooms hit 85% occupancy in 2023
- Cayman Islands 8,000 rooms averaged 82% occupancy in 2023
- St. Lucia 5,500 rooms saw 78% occupancy driven by all-inclusives
- Grenada 3,000 rooms achieved 70% occupancy in 2023
- Turks & Caicos 6,500 luxury rooms at 88% occupancy in 2023
- Belize 4,000 rooms averaged 68% occupancy eco-lodges focus
- Trinidad 6,000 rooms at 65% occupancy in 2023
- St. Kitts 3,200 rooms hit 80% peak occupancy
- Dominica 1,500 eco-rooms at 72% occupancy in 2023
- Anguilla 1,200 luxury villas/rooms 90% occupancy high season
- BVI 2,500 rooms averaged 75% post-hurricane recovery 2023
- USVI 6,000 rooms 77% occupancy in 2023
- Curaçao 4,000 rooms 82% occupancy casino resorts
- Bonaire 1,000 dive resorts 85% occupancy
- Sint Maarten 4,500 rooms 80% occupancy beachfronts
- St. Vincent 2,000 rooms 70% occupancy yacht focus
- Martinique 8,000 rooms 75% French market occupancy
- Guadeloupe 7,500 rooms averaged 72% in 2023
- Regional all-inclusive resorts comprised 45% of 450,000 total rooms in 2023
- New hotel openings added 15,000 rooms across Caribbean in 2023
Accommodation and Occupancy Interpretation
While the Dominican Republic holds court with sheer volume and Aruba dazzles with packed efficiency, the Caribbean's tourism throne is ultimately a shared, sun-drenched seat where each island, from the all-inclusive powerhouses to the eco-lodge retreats, finds its own perfectly profitable niche.
Economic Contributions
- Tourism in the Caribbean contributed $42.5 billion to GDP in 2023, representing 12.5% of regional GDP
- The sector supported 2.6 million jobs in the Caribbean in 2023, or 11.8% of total employment
- International visitor spending reached $35.2 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022
- Domestic tourism added $7.8 billion to the Caribbean economy in 2023
- In Jamaica, tourism generated $4.5 billion in earnings in 2023, 35% of exports
- Dominican Republic's tourism sector contributed $11.2 billion to GDP in 2023
- Bahamas tourism accounted for 50% of GDP at $5.8 billion in 2023
- Puerto Rico's visitor economy generated $9.1 billion in 2023, supporting 130,000 jobs
- Cuba's tourism revenue hit $2.4 billion in 2023 from 2.4 million visitors
- Barbados tourism contributed BBD 2.5 billion to GDP in 2023, 40% share
- Antigua's tourism generated $1.2 billion in 2023, 60% of GDP
- Aruba's visitor sector added $2.1 billion to economy in 2023, 65% GDP
- Cayman Islands tourism revenue was $1.8 billion in 2023, 70% GDP reliance
- St. Lucia tourism earnings reached $1.1 billion in 2023, 65% exports
- Grenada's sector contributed $450 million in 2023, 25% GDP
- Turks & Caicos tourism generated $1.4 billion in 2023, 60% GDP
- Belize tourism added $500 million to GDP in 2023, 40% share
- Trinidad tourism revenue was $800 million in 2023, 5% GDP
- St. Kitts tourism contributed $400 million in 2023, 50% GDP
- BVI tourism generated $700 million in 2023 post-recovery
- USVI visitor spending totaled $3.5 billion in 2023
- Curaçao tourism revenue hit $1.2 billion in 2023
- St. Maarten tourism added $1.6 billion to economy in 2023
- Guyana tourism revenue grew to $300 million in 2023
- Martinique tourism spending was €800 million in 2023
- Guadeloupe visitor economy contributed €700 million in 2023
- Regional tourism investment reached $5.2 billion in 2023 for infrastructure
- Tourism taxes and fees generated $2.1 billion across Caribbean in 2023
Economic Contributions Interpretation
While the Caribbean sun and sand are famously its greatest assets, these statistics prove they are also its most vital economic engine, propping up a stunning average of one in every ten regional jobs and transforming paradise into a paycheck for millions.
Source Markets
- US tourists accounted for 55% of all Caribbean arrivals in 2023 at 18.5 million
- Canada contributed 20% of visitors or 6.7 million to Caribbean in 2023
- UK market sent 2.8 million tourists to Caribbean in 2023, 8% growth
- Germany provided 1.2 million visitors in 2023, focused on DR and Cuba
- France sent 1.5 million mainly to French Caribbean islands in 2023
- Brazil emerged with 800,000 visitors to Caribbean in 2023, up 25%
- Netherlands contributed 400,000 to Dutch Caribbean like Aruba in 2023
- Italy sent 350,000 tourists, luxury segments in 2023
- Russia recovered to 150,000 visitors post-2022 in 2023
- Argentina provided 200,000 mainly to DR in 2023
- Colombia grew to 500,000 regional visitors in 2023
- Mexico sent 300,000 to eastern Caribbean in 2023
- South Korea niche market 50,000 luxury travelers in 2023
- India emerging with 80,000 high-end visitors in 2023
- Australia contributed 40,000 long-haul to Caribbean 2023
- Domestic intra-Caribbean travel hit 1.2 million trips in 2023
- Florida as gateway sent 12 million via air to Caribbean 2023
- New York market 4.5 million departures to Caribbean 2023
- Toronto airport handled 2.1 million to Caribbean 2023
- London Heathrow 900,000 to Caribbean in 2023
- Miami international 8.2 million Caribbean passengers 2023
- Cruise visitors from US ports totaled 15 million to Caribbean in 2023
- 85% recovery to 2019 levels in US source market by Q4 2023
- European markets reached 92% of pre-pandemic volumes in 2023
Source Markets Interpretation
The Caribbean's tourism economy remains an American-led affair, with Canada as a loyal lieutenant and Europe cheerfully rejoining the parade, while a savvy collection of niche and regional visitors busily carve out their own sunny corners of the map.
Sustainability and Trends
- Caribbean tourism projected to grow 5.2% annually to 2030, reaching 45 million arrivals
- Sustainable tourism investments hit $3.1 billion in 2023 across region
- Eco-certifications covered 25% of hotels by end-2023, up from 15% in 2022
- Carbon emissions from tourism down 8% via green initiatives in 2023
- Overtourism concerns in 12 islands led to caps on cruise ships in 2023
- Digital nomad visas issued to 50,000 remote workers in 2023
- Adventure tourism segment grew 22% to 4 million participants in 2023
- Wellness tourism revenue $8.5 billion in 2023, 25% growth
- Culinary tourism events drew 2.5 million in 2023, boosting off-season
- Yachting charters increased 18% to 150,000 bookings in 2023
- Air connectivity improved with 1,200 weekly flights in 2023 winter
- Post-pandemic health protocols retained by 70% destinations in 2023
- Female-led tourism businesses rose to 35% in 2023 surveys
- Coral reef protection projects funded $200 million in 2023
- Plastic waste reduction 40% in resorts via bans in 2023
- Community tourism programs engaged 500,000 locals in 2023
- AI and VR tourism previews adopted by 40% DMOs in 2023
- Resilience index improved to 85/100 post-hurricanes in 2023
- Luxury segment grew 30% to $12 billion spend in 2023
- Millennials/GenZ 45% of new visitors prioritizing sustainability 2023
Sustainability and Trends Interpretation
It seems the Caribbean is mastering a tricky new dance: striding forward as millions more tourists arrive, while carefully stepping lighter on its own fragile paradise.
Visitor Statistics
- In 2023, the Dominican Republic recorded 10.1 million international tourist arrivals, a 9% increase from 2022
- Jamaica saw 4.1 million visitors in 2023, with 2.9 million from the US marking a 12% YoY growth
- The Bahamas welcomed 3.8 million stopover and cruise passengers combined in 2023, up 15% from pre-pandemic levels
- Puerto Rico attracted 5.9 million visitors in FY2023, including 3.2 million air arrivals
- Cuba reported 2.4 million international tourists in 2023, primarily from Canada and Europe
- Barbados had 750,000 stay-over arrivals in 2023, a 10% rise driven by UK and US markets
- Antigua and Barbuda received 410,000 visitors in 2023, with cruise passengers at 280,000
- Aruba logged 1.3 million stay-over tourists in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Cayman Islands saw 1.9 million total visitors in 2023, including 800,000 cruise passengers
- St. Lucia welcomed 380,000 stay-over arrivals in 2023, a 14% increase YoY
- Grenada attracted 170,000 tourists in 2023, with 40% from the US
- Turks and Caicos recorded 600,000 air arrivals in 2023, up 20% from 2022
- Martinique saw 500,000 visitors in 2023, mostly from France
- Guadeloupe hosted 450,000 tourists in 2023, with a focus on European markets
- Haiti received 250,000 visitors in 2023 despite challenges, mainly cruise
- Belize welcomed 550,000 tourists in 2023, 60% from US/Canada
- Trinidad and Tobago had 420,000 arrivals in 2023, boosted by Carnival
- St. Kitts and Nevis saw 190,000 stay-over visitors in 2023, up 18%
- Dominica attracted 90,000 tourists in 2023, emphasizing eco-tourism
- Anguilla recorded 120,000 visitors in 2023, luxury segment dominant
- British Virgin Islands welcomed 450,000 total visitors in 2023
- US Virgin Islands had 3.2 million visitors in 2023, mostly cruise
- Curaçao saw 650,000 stay-over tourists in 2023, up 11%
- Bonaire attracted 110,000 visitors in 2023, diving focus
- Saba recorded 25,000 tourists in 2023, niche adventure market
- Sint Maarten welcomed 1.5 million cruise passengers in 2023 alongside 500,000 stay-overs
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines had 140,000 visitors in 2023, yachting key
- Nevis saw 80,000 stay-over arrivals in 2023, luxury wellness
- Montserrat attracted 15,000 tourists in 2023, adventure niche
- Guyana welcomed 200,000 visitors in 2023, eco-tourism growth
Visitor Statistics Interpretation
The Caribbean’s 2023 tourism map shows a region in full bloom, with the Dominican Republic leading a record-breaking parade of sun-seekers, culture cravers, and cruise ship conga lines, proving that while some islands chase luxury and others adventure, they all collectively agree that the best way to recover from a pandemic is with a steady drip of sunscreen and foreign currency.
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