This article originally appeared in the August issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
The Caribbean is not short on demand, with overseas arrivals to the region growing 30% between 2022 and 2025, according to the recently released 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends report from Amadeus and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). However, it’s the story behind that number that creates an interesting opportunity for advisors.
Overall, growth has moderated since the post-COVID boom. In 2023, arrivals were up 21% versus the prior year — people were making up for lost travel time, destinations were reopening, and there was pent-up demand. By 2024, growth slowed to 8%. Now, it’s down to 1% year over year in the April 2025 to March 2026 period — a signal that the post-pandemic boom has stabilized. But there are destinations still surging, and they’re not the usual headliners.
While top-tier markets — those commanding more than 5% of total Caribbean arrivals — recorded flat year-over-year growth, lesser-visited destinations posted a collective 2% increase. That gap reflects a fundamental shift: Travelers are actively seeking alternatives, and advisors who have already done the homework on these off-the-beaten-path islands are positioned to be the experts clients need.
"Travelers themselves have become savvier, using better information and better access to identify new opportunities and destinations to explore across the region, and improved airlift makes acting on that curiosity easier than ever," said Vanessa Ledesma, CEO of CHTA.
Who Is Leading the Pack
Great Bay Beach on St. Maarten. (photo courtesy of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau)
Dominica sits at the top of the rankings, recording a 22% year-over-year increase in arrivals. The report ties that jump directly to the rising demand for natureand adventure-focused travel, positioning Dominica as one of the Caribbean’s most compelling emerging markets. Volume remains limited — just 0.2% of total regional arrivals — but the growth is real, supported by improved air connectivity, including United Airlines’ new nonstop service from Newark, New Jersey. For advisors, Dominica’s low-density, high-value model is the kind of story that resonates with experienced travelers who have already visited St. Lucia or Barbados and are ready for something more immersive.
"Dominica appeals to travelers who are seeking meaningful, immersive experiences rather than a traditional resort vacation," said Marva Williams, CEO and director of tourism for Discover Dominica Authority. "Our ideal visitor is someone who values nature, authenticity, wellness, adventure and genuine cultural connections. They want to hike to breathtaking waterfalls, explore lush rainforests, soak in natural hot springs, dive in pristine marine environments, watch whales in their natural habitat and engage with the warmth and hospitality of our people."
Dominica offers an ideal escape, blending a stunning destination with some of the hottest travel trends.
"We continue to see growing interest from eco-conscious travelers, adventure enthusiasts, wellness seekers, couples, solo travelers and multigenerational families looking to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and reconnect with nature," Williams said. "Increasingly, younger travelers are also choosing Dominica because sustainability and authentic travel experiences are central to how they choose destinations."
Guyana follows with 19% growth — and it is drawing a distinctive traveler: the ecoconscious solo adventurer or baby boomer with a preference for authenticity and longer stays. The Amadeus data shows that the destination attracts travelers whose preferences lean toward comfort, cultural depth and extended itineraries. That profile maps neatly to high-value, low-volume tourism — a segment that advisors can charge a premium to serve.
St. Maarten recorded 18% growth, though the report notes its numbers should be read within a broader regional context. The island functions as a key gateway, connecting visitors to St. Martin by land and to nearby Anguilla and St. Barts by boat and charter flights. For advisors building multi-island itineraries in the northeastern Caribbean, St. Maarten is the linchpin that makes the routing work. Its strength as a hub amplifies demand signals in a way that pure beach destinations cannot replicate.
"Gateway dynamics matter: St. Maarten’s growth reflects both its own appeal and its role as the entry point to St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barts, so one destination’s connectivity lifts an entire cluster," noted Ledesma of CHTA.
Rounding out the top performers at 10% growth is St. Vincent and the Grenadines — a destination the Amadeus report notes alongside Aruba and the Dominican Republic as among the strongest overall.
"Airlift investments, diversified source markets and increasingly informed travelers will outlast any single season," Ledesma said. "Some of the percentage growth reflects expansion from a smaller base, which is the cyclical element, but the underlying forces are durable."
How Advisors Should Position These Destinations
The data offers more than a leaderboard; it’s also a tool for client matchmaking. Each destination in the second-tier cohort has a distinct traveler affinity that advisors can use to sharpen their pitches.
"The numbers show growth," Ledesma said. "What they cannot show is why travelers come home from these destinations and immediately start planning a return. The Caribbean comprises 32 distinct destinations, each with its own culture, landscape and character, and that diversity is the region’s greatest asset for advisors."
Dominica is the right answer for the eco-adventurer or wellness traveler who has explicitly told an advisor they do not want another all-inclusive.
"Dominica may not be the best fit for travelers looking for large all-inclusive resorts, vibrant nightlife, casinos or expansive white-sand beach vacations," noted Williams of Discover Dominica Authority. "Instead, we offer something truly distinctive: a destination where nature is the luxury, experiences are transformative, and every journey leaves visitors with a deeper appreciation for our environment, culture and way of life. For travel advisors with clients looking for an authentic Caribbean experience that’s off the beaten path, Dominica is an exceptional choice."
St. Vincent and the Grenadines works particularly well for sailing clients, honeymooners seeking seclusion and luxury travelers who want the Mustique or Canouan cachet without the St. Barts price tag.
Curacao, meanwhile, is ideal for clients who dislike crowds or narrow travel windows. Unlike most Caribbean islands, which empty out between summer and fall, Curacao draws a steady stream of visitors year-round, making it one of the rare destinations an advisor can confidently book in any month without sacrificing the experience. That means year-round availability, more predictable pricing and less competition for the best properties. Advisors can book Curacao in June or September without the logistical headaches that come with peak-season Caribbean travel.
"Clients seeking authenticity — which the affluent traveler increasingly prioritizes — will find it here, and advisors who explore the full breadth of the region will keep finding new experiences to match to the right client," said Ledesma.
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