Caribbean Tourism Surged in 2025 — Even as Hurricane Melissa Battered Jamaica

Key Points

• The Caribbean saw a record 35 million stay-over arrivals in 2025, despite Hurricane Melissa causing severe damage in Jamaica.
• Significant growth came from South American visitors and cruise arrivals, which offset declines from Canada, Europe, and decreased travel to Jamaica.
• Caribbean tourism leaders are now prioritizing adaptation strategies to deal with more frequent and severe storms, with cruise tourism expected to further boost numbers in 2026.

Summary

Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and declines in tourism from Canada and Europe, the Caribbean achieved its highest tourism numbers since before the pandemic in 2025, with 35 million stay-over arrivals and a significant boost from cruise tourism and South American visitors. The region is now focusing on adaptation strategies to address the growing threat of severe storms, while cruise tourism is projected to continue its strong growth, bolstered by new deployments from major cruise lines.