The Caribbean Tourism Group (CTO) has reported a downturn in customer arrivals from Canada and Europe within the first half of 2025, at the same time as different markets confirmed progress.
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In line with CTO database administrator Paul Garnes, Canadian arrivals fell by simply over 9 per cent to 1.67 million, whereas European arrivals dropped by an estimated 5 per cent to 2.53 million in comparison with the identical interval in 2024.
Talking on the State of the Tourism Business Convention in Barbados, Garnes attributed the Canadian decline to weaker client confidence, increased journey prices, and “foreign money occasions,” with U.S. tariffs, commerce tensions, and financial uncertainty additionally pushing many Canadians towards home journeys and different locations.
He defined that Canadian arrivals fell sharply within the early months of 2025, with January down 12 per cent, February 15 per cent, and March 10 per cent. Although April and Might continued the downward development, June introduced a rebound of almost seven per cent year-on-year, although nonetheless 11 per cent beneath 2019 ranges. Solely eight of the 19 reporting locations noticed progress from Canada, led by Bermuda, Curaçao, and Aruba.
Garnes stated the European market additionally struggled, with general arrivals down 5 per cent from final yr and 17 per cent beneath pre-pandemic ranges. “Month by month, arrivals have been weak,” he famous, mentioning that April noticed solely a slight uptick whereas Might and June slipped once more. Simply seven locations reported progress, led by Guyana, Anguilla, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Regardless of these declines, Garnes highlighted constructive indicators in different markets. Intra-Caribbean journey rose by 1.2 per cent to 560,000 arrivals, whereas South America recorded a 25 per cent enhance, shifting from 790,000 to just about a million. Different markets—together with Asia and Africa—noticed 12 per cent progress, totaling almost 3.8 million arrivals.
“This continues to help regional resilience,” Garnes stated, noting that diversification past conventional markets has helped offset softer demand from North America and Europe.
General, vacationer arrivals to the Caribbean grew by 1.9 per cent within the first half of 2025, standing 6.1 per cent above 2019 ranges.
“Contemplating vacationer arrivals then, within the first half of the yr 2025, the Caribbean tourism business confirmed sturdy resilience, persevering with to develop regardless of exterior challenges,” Garnes stated.
