Caribbean Travel Trends for 2023

Even the most avid travelers were thrown for a loop in 2022. Prices soared for hotels and air travel, and the industry grappled with unprecedented staffing shortages. 

And yet — the numbers show that travelers were so ready to literally get out of town that they braced themselves for all possible obstacles and went anyway. In fact, in September 2022, travel spending reached a pandemic-era high, even slightly exceeding levels recorded in 2019, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The Caribbean saw a parallel resurgence; a November 2022 report from the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows that 26 of 27 destinations in the region welcomed more visitors year over year. From January to September 2022, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, The Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic saw the largest increases in visitors.

And, of course, travel advisors watched it all from the front lines. We asked some Caribbean specialists for their observations from last year, and what they anticipate for 2023.

The Most Popular Caribbean Destinations, Such as the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, Benefit From Better Air Connectivity 

Laura Sangster, founder of The Journey Group and Caribbean Journey, has been visiting and selling the Caribbean for more than two decades. In 2022, she saw that ease of travel — or, ease of getting to a specific destination — impacted clients’ booking decisions. 

Flight convenience drives destination popularity now more than ever before, so the popular places will be the ones that are easiest to get to.

Flight convenience drives destination popularity now more than ever before, so the popular places will be the ones that are easiest to get to,” Sangster said. "A long weekend to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic or any place serviced by the Cancun Airport is just easier than it is to reach St. Lucia, Anguilla and the smaller islands.”

Kim Herbert, co-owner of Explorateur Travel, saw similar patterns in her bookings last year: Mexico and the Dominican Republic were her two top-selling destinations, and she’s sure it's because they offer variety in terms of what to do and see, and are easier to reach logistically.

Jamaica and Mexico were the top two destinations sold by Caribbean expert Christine Hardenberger, owner of Modern Travel Professionals. She fully agrees that those destinations were — and remain — hot because they are easier to get to, and also because more flights to those locations often meant better pricing.

“I think that super strong interest in Jamaica and Mexico was driven by flight prices,” she said. “Things got crazy expensive as the year went on. Of course, not everyone was feeling financially squeezed, so they’ll still go to their top choice, but others had to really look at their expendable income.”

For Some, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, Curacao and Anguilla Are Worth the Extra Travel Time 

Our experts noted that when travelers are able to handle longer travel days and possibly higher costs, they look to the smaller islands of the Caribbean.

Jordan Rush, co-owner of Explorateur Travel, says Turks and Caicos was a hot destination among her clients last year, and she expects that to continue. Full of luxury resort and villa options, the archipelago has something for so many clients, Rush says — plus, some of the world’s clearest waters and best beaches. 

Thanks to its plethora of all-inclusive properties in Punta Cana and Cap Cana, the Dominican Republic also continues to catch the eye of clients. For those looking to stay slightly more off the beaten path, Rush suggests the areas of La Romana or Rio San Juan. St. Lucia was also a top seller, she notes; diverse activity options (think: volcanic mud baths and lush rainforest hikes) attract travelers of all kinds, and honeymooners love the island’s luxury resort options.

Caribbean Journey’s Sangster reports that St. Lucia, Anguilla and Curacao were trending last year among clients who were willing to deal with longer travel times and the possibility of missed connections. Often, these are longtime travelers to the Caribbean who want to explore beyond the white-sand beaches, she notes. 

There Is Uptick in Bookings to the British Virgin Island and Dominica

Unsurprisingly, the debut of nonstop American Airlines flights to Tortola from Miami fueled an uptick in interest in the already-popular British Virgin Islands, Sangster says. (She was thrilled with the news herself, as she’s dreaming of the day she can worry less about air travel concerns and disruptions.) Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands is her top choice for clients looking for an escape that’s supremely tranquil and private. 

Similarly, because American Airlines added direct flights to Dominica in the middle of 2022, Sangster expects more interest in the destination this year. Diving trips and rainforest and waterfall hikes are among the adventure opportunities on this island. 

Explorateur’s Herbert says she is also seeing more interest in extended Caribbean stays — which is, perhaps, one way to address the length of time it may take a client to arrive at the destination. She has fielded requests for 10- to 12-night stays that include multiple islands, and she says she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to plan Hawaii-esque island-hopping itineraries in the Caribbean.

Advisors Are Looking Forward to Sunset Reef in St. Kitts, Six Senses on Grenada, Unico in Jamaica and More

Sangster is eager to hear reports from Sunset Reef in St. Kitts, a luxury boutique resort that debuted last August; she says the property is a welcome addition to the island’s high-end hotel offerings, which include Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour. 

For Herbert of Explorateur, the upcoming opening of Six Senses Residences La Sagesse on Grenada is intriguing, as it’s the luxury brand’s first resort in the Caribbean. She’s also eagerly anticipating the opening of a new Unico resort in Jamaica; Unico Riviera Maya is one of her best-selling all-inclusive properties, thanks to its “luxury style and elevated food,” she notes.

“The positioning of this new resort on Montego Bay — known for its beautiful beaches — will undoubtedly be very popular for our clients,” she said.