By Michael Baginski/ Some Canadians are rethinking plans to visit parts of the Caribbean in the wake of military action and threats from the United States in the region. Among the affected destinations are Aruba and Curaçao, two islands off the coast of Venezuela, where the U.S. launched a strike and captured its president about two weeks ago.
However, despite some perceptions, industry sources say the rest of the Caribbean is not only holding steady but booming.
In fact, Christine James, VP Canada for Travel Leaders Network, says the organization has seen a 19% average increase in revenue (with some partners boasting up to 36% year over year growth) for fun and sun bookings, with Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica being the top three destinations for Canadians.
“I still can’t believe the numbers,” she marvelled. “Every time we get a 2026 report I call my contacts and say, ‘Are you sure this report is right? It’s phenomenal.”
Brent Carnegie, who represents the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board in Canada, says the Bahamas has proven incredibly strong out of Canada this winter, as reflected by a massive schedule of 41 weekly flights from Air Canada, WestJet, and new entrant Porter, which has already joined the others in extending service through the summer months.
“That speaks to Canadians loving going to the Caribbean, and it isn’t slowing down,” he told Travel Industry Today.
However, as for the southern Caribbean, “There’s definitely some concern,” says Chris Lynes, managing director at Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. “We’re seeing people change destinations and focus on Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican locations.”
And while some travellers have also put Cuba trips on hold after the country received threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, James says TLN members have registered little concern, adding, “Canadians love Cuba!”
Sal Lato, who owns the Marlin Travel agency franchise, said several clients recently put their visits to the island on hold amid anxiety about travelling to the region.
At the same time, social media travel groups abound with questions over the safety or ease of vacationing near Venezuela or in Cuba. Many fear the situation could deteriorate, given the latter country’s reliance on Venezuelan oil – a lifeline that was cut off by Trump about a month ago. (Cuban officials in Toronto last week, however, said the country plenty of oil reserves and has guaranteed Canadian airlines that they won’t be affected.)
“I just cancelled my tickets and I am looking for an alternate destination,” read one post on Facebook’s Curaçao Travel Tips page. “The conflict and uncertainty is a little too close for my comfort. So disappointing.”
Janet Radley, who works at St. Clair Travel Agency in Toronto, said she is warning sun seekers about the risks of a Cuba getaway and cautioning against travel to Aruba, Curaçao and neighbouring Bonaire.
“People could see some of the helicopters from the beach in Curaçao. That would be a bit disturbing,” she said of the U.S. strike against Venezuela earlier this month.
However, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines say it’s business as usual. Air Canada issued a temporary travel advisory for Venezuela and the surrounding regions allowing for changes to flights into 17 airports.
(With files from Canadian Press).
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