Recent data from analytics firm ForwardKeys shows that tourism in Aruba increased by 20% in the first half of 2024, the fastest growth of any Caribbean destination. participation experts.
A significant part of this success can be attributed to traditional tourism markets such as North America and emerging markets such as South America.
Last year, Aruba welcomed 1.2 million travelers, an increase of 13% compared to 2023. according to the ATA.
In January alone, Aruba had 117,172 visitors, including 73,784 Americans, an increase of 18% over the previous year.
From January to May, the Dutch island had 111,180 visitors, an increase of 18.7% compared to the same time frame in 2023, the best year in history.
Americans like to come to “The One Happy Island” because it is close to the US and safer than other Caribbean destinations.
The two other major factors contributing to Aruba’s extremely positive tourist numbers include the low arrival of sargassum and its privileged location away from the hurricane belt in the Caribbean.
Unfortunately, the amount of sargassum arriving in a given country is now a factor to consider when planning a getaway to the Caribbean.
Although sargassum is wreaking havoc across the region, Not all beaches in Aruba receive algae, making it one of them the cleanest destinations sargassum-wise.
Another element that travelers take into account is the hurricane season.
In May, the US issued a hurricane season warning for seven Caribbean countries, including Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia and Barbados.
Aruba was not one of them. According to official data, this will be the case in 2024 the worst hurricane season in the past twenty yearswith up to 23 events.
But Aruba is not alone Caribbean destination is experiencing positive tourism growth.
With a combined 33.2 million travelers in 2023, almost all Caribbean countries have recovered from the tourism catastrophe caused by the pandemic. Let’s look at some numbers.
Jamaica: In January and February alone, the country received $1 billion in tourism revenue, “a record that had never happened in the history of Jamaica.”
Saint Lucia: The number of overnight stays increased by 11.3% in the first quarter, breaking all previous records.
Turks and Caicos Islands: The number of arrivals has increased by 227% since 2019.
Belize: This Central American country has seen a 30 percent increase in visitor numbers so far in 2024, making it one of the “the fastest growth rates of any destination” in the area.
Dominican Republic: From January to April, the DR experienced a 10% increase in the number of air visitors and a 15% increase in the number of cruise passengers, breaking all historical records.
Cancun: With 8.21 million travelers between January and April, Cancun experienced a 6% increase in visitors, setting a new record.
