Leading travel intelligence provider ForwardKeys has published a joint report, “Caribbean Travel Trends 2025” indicating strong demand for the region this summer, not least as consumers seek to go back to beaches.
Unveiled at the recent the Caribbean Travel Forum in recent Antigua and Barbuda, the report, created in collaboration with The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), shows that while overall travel intent to the Caribbean remains steady, several individual markets are showing noteworthy surges in demand.
Latin America is leading the way in year-over-year interest, while travel intent from Canada for Q3 2025 (July-September) is up an impressive 22%.
At a more granular level, individual destinations show strong performance. The Dominican Republic currently leads the region in terms of overall search volume, commanding a 31.9% share of all flight searches for summer travel to the Caribbean this year. Year-over-year growth in search intent of +7% indicates the country’s increasing appeal, likely bolstered by its diverse tourism offerings and extensive accommodation options.
Major cultural and sporting events are also boosting travel intent across the Caribbean. The World Cup Cricket in Barbados is drawing international attention, while Puerto Rico is seeing a surge in interest ahead of the highly anticipated Bad Bunny artist residency taking place from July to September. While attracting a 16.6% share of overall searches, Puerto Rico is experiencing a remarkable +44% surge in traveller interest year-over-year. This predicts exceptionally strong demand in the upcoming season.
According to industry leaders, these trends underscore a broader opportunity for regional growth and long-term strategic planning,
“The Caribbean remains an exceptionally attractive region for global travellers, and our report uncovers significant opportunities for continued development and growth,” said Olivier Ponti, Director – Intelligence & Marketing at ForwardKeys. “While current demand is robust, there is considerable potential to expand further.”
Fellow Forum presenter Carl Gordon, Director of Government, Strategic Growth, English Caribbean of Mastercard echoed Ponti’s presentation, stating that research from the company’s Travel Trends 2025 report revealed that “beaches are making a comeback,” amongst holidaymakers, adding that those who sell travel might take advantage by including highlighting “the best and most pristine beaches in the Caribbean” in their marketing presentations.
After its people, Gordon said, “beaches are the second most important asset that the Caribbean has (and), as one of the main advantages, we should maximize it.”
Gordon shared that visitors are also staying longer and spending more in the Caribbean, with interest also surging in wellness, nature, gastronomy, and cultural experiences – well positioning the region well to capture evolving traveller preferences.
CHTA president Sanovnik Destang stated: “(These reports) reinforces what many of us in the Caribbean already recognize – interest in our region is strong and rising. But it also reminds us that to truly capitalize on this momentum, we need to think beyond individual destinations. Taking a more united, regional approach – improving air access, aligning our strategies, and creating unforgettable experiences—will help us grow tourism in a way that benefits communities and businesses across the Caribbean.”
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