New research from ForwardKeys, a data partner of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), found arrivals for the first two months of 2023 are behind by only 1% when compared to the same period in 2019. 

In contrast, Europe is registering a 25% lag, while Asia-Pacific is 54% behind. Total international inbound is trailing by 31% compared to the same period in 2019.

"These are impressive results for our region," assured CHTA president Nicola Madden-Greig, who expressed her gratitude for the collaboration between health organisations, hospitality leaders, businesses, governments, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and airlines.

According to ticket booking data for arrivals through the end of March, the Virgin Islands has recorded an increase of more than 22% compared to the same period in 2019.

Following is Saint Maarten, with a growth rate of 18%, while Guadeloupe and Turks and Caicos are tied at 17%.

Demand for spring and summer travel to the Caribbean is expected to surpass 2019 levels, with spring arrivals projected to exceed 2019 figures by 20% and summer arrivals set to eclipse pre-pandemic records by 48%.