Luxury agents are sending more clients to non-direct Caribbean destinations as capacity reaches record levels, according to new data.

The tropical region has seen a significant increase in visitors from the UK since the Iran War began in February, with many Brits heading west to avoid airspace closures and security threats.

This sudden redirection, however, also means Caribbean hotels and resorts are far busier than usual for this time of year.

Occupancy rates across the archipelago are estimated to be between 85% and 95% for March 2026, with last-minute deals on hotel rooms almost impossible to find. 

Mark Duguid of Kuoni has described interest in the Caribbean as “off the charts”, while Jonathon Woodall-Johnston of Hays Travel noted “strong demand” for the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

This squeeze is also being seen in air travel; British Airways has reported a 50% increase in search for Caribbean holidays, with routes from London to Barbados, Antigua and St. Lucia frequently hitting 95% – 100% capacity on weekends.  

“I couldn’t even sell some of the top luxury options in Turks and Caicos, which has a direct flight with BA, due to availability,” Caroline Pullum of Knightsbridge Circle told TTG.

In response, some agents have been encouraging clients to consider Caribbean destinations which don’t offer direct flights from the UK, such as the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands.

“People are now more open to some of the quieter islands like St Kitts & Nevis, which includes a scheduled touchdown in Antigua, and some of the smaller British Virgin Islands, which require clients to change in Barbados or Antigua,” said Miranda Seymour of Travel Counsellors. “We’ve also seen interest in Dominica, which, again, means taking a second flight once you reach the Caribbean.”

Ashley Quint of TravelTime World has also seen a jump in demand for Caribbean islands with non-direct flights: “I’ve sent a client to Bequia, which involves flying to Barbados and then taking a 45-minute flight [operated by either SVG or Mustique Airways].”

Meanwhile, Sam Mond of Reserve A Hotel has secured a high-value booking for Canouan, a five-square-mile gem in the Grenadines. Home to a handful of luxury retreats including the Mandarin Oriental and Soho Beach House – and accessible only by regional flight from Barbados or St. Vincent – the islet’s remote location and tranquil atmosphere make it a natural choice for ultra-high-net-worth travellers.

Mond has also seen an uptick in bookings for Aruba, reflecting a 42% increase in search share for the Dutch-Caribbean island [comparing the two weeks from 2–15 March to the prior 14 days].

Agents have acknowledged that the “non-direct” angle of these islands can be a tricky sell, however.

“Clients can be resistant, but it depends who they are,” Seymour explained. “I find couples without kids don’t mind so much, especially if I frame it as part of the island’s exclusivity. The best destinations are sometimes harder to get to.” 

To reassure clients, the London-based travel advisor often emphasises the short duration of the second flight and the likelihood of seeing gorgeous views from the air. "It's kind of like the Maldives when you have to get a seaplane,” she said.