As Americans prepare for their winter getaways in 2024-2025, their interest in destinations from the Caribbean has increased notably, particularly towards Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Mexican Caribbean. This trend is further supported by data from Mabrian Travel Intelligence, which highlights the Caribbean as one of the favorite winter getaways for American travelers.
Mabrian Travel Intelligence Key Information
Mabrian’s analysis shows that Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Mexican Caribbean are poised to benefit significantly from this growing travel demand. The data was derived from the Mabrian Search Engagement Index, which tracks flight search behaviors to gauge market interest in various destinations. This index focuses on the search activities of the top 20 US airports, which represent 85% of total international air connectivity from the US. The analysis monitored flight searches for trips planned between November 2024 and February 2025.
The United States has historically been a vital source market for Caribbean tourism, especially during the winter season. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) reported that in 16.3 there were approximately 2.023 million overnight arrivals from the United States, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 12.7%. Overall, the Caribbean welcomed around 32.2 million international travelers in 2023, underscoring its appeal.
The growing popularity of Costa Rica
Among the destinations analyzed, Costa Rica exhibited the most substantial growth in demand for inspirational travel from American travelers, increasing 33% year over year. Of its two main airports, Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in the northwest of the country saw the largest increase in demand, reaching a notable 54%. This airport serves as a convenient gateway to popular coastal areas such as Tambor, Tamarindo and the Gulf of Papagayo.
Costa Rica’s strong appeal at several U.S. airports indicates it is a top destination for winter travelers. This trend bodes well for bookings and arrivals in general, suggesting that travel agencies can expect a strong season for this destination.
Puerto Rico and the Mexican Caribbean
Puerto Rico is also experiencing a positive trend, with a 9% increase in demand for inspirational travel compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, the Mexican Caribbean is experiencing an average growth of 6% at key airports such as Cancun , Cozumel and Tulum. The Dominican Republic follows closely with a 4% increase in interest, driven primarily by growth at Santo Domingo’s Las Américas Airport.
The recent opening of Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport in Tulum in December 2023 has further driven demand to the Mexican Caribbean, contributing to an overall 6% increase in travel plans from the US between November 2024 and February 2025. Despite a slight correction in Cozumel demand, this new airport is expected to attract more US and international travelers, particularly in the mid- to high-segment market.
Changes in interest towards other Caribbean destinations
However, not all Caribbean destinations are registering the same level of interest. Jamaica experienced a significant decline, with a 17% drop in searches compared to the previous winter season. Specifically, Montego Bay saw a 23% reduction in demand for inspiration, although Kingston Town showed a 12% increase. Similarly, the Bahamas recorded a 20% decline in interest, particularly for Nassau, while there was a modest increase in Grand Bahamas.
Barbados has maintained stable demand, with a 1% increase in inspiring interest from US travelers since winter 2023-2024.
Implications for the travel industry
These trends indicate a shift in the Caribbean travel landscape, where certain destinations are gaining prominence while others are losing appeal. As Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Mexican Caribbean increase in popularity, travel agencies can expect an increase in bookings and should consider promoting these destinations more vigorously.
The overall impact on the travel industry could include:
- Targeted marketing: Greater focus on Costa Rica and the Mexican Caribbean in promotional campaigns.
- Enhanced Travel Packages: Developing customized travel packages that specifically cater to U.S. travelers seeking these destinations.
- Changes in flight availabilityAirlines can respond to growing demand by increasing routes and flight capacities to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.
Overall, data suggests that American travelers are increasingly looking to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Mexican Caribbean for their winter getaways, which could be transforming the travel landscape in the Caribbean region. (https://www.travelandtourworld.es/noticias/art%C3%ADculo/Costa-Rica%2C-Puerto-Rico-y-el-Caribe-mexicano-emergen-como-los-principales-destinos-que-impulsan-la-demanda-de-viajes-de-invierno-de-Estados-Unidos-al-Caribe-en-2024/)
