Caribbean Tourism Grows 1.9% as Cruise Ship Trips Hit a Record 21.7 Million
The number of stayover visitors in the Caribbean rose 1.9% to 18.9 million in the first half of 2026, while cruise passengers surged 11% to a record 21.7 million.
The number of stayover visitors in the Caribbean region rose 1.9% to nearly 18.9 million visitors in the period from January to June 2026, according to Caribbean Tourism Organization data reported by the "Jamaica Gleaner".
In contrast, cruise trips surged 11% to a record 21.7 million passengers, making the sea one of the most vital drivers of tourist traffic in the region.
The average daily rate for hotel rooms rose 9.2% to $414.52, and revenue per available room increased 11.4% to $303.15, while the United States remained the largest source market with a 48.4% share.
This performance matters to hospitality sector workers and tour operators, as slowing growth in stayover visitors is offset by a strong surge in cruises that could shift revenue distribution in favor of ports of call and less to hotels, prompting destinations to rethink their promotional strategies.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Stayover Visitors: Tourists who stay at least one night in hotel establishments, distinguished from cruise passengers.
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR): A metric combining price and occupancy, calculated by dividing room revenue by the number of available rooms.
Average Daily Rate (ADR): The average rate actually paid for a single night in a hotel room.
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