Caribbean Tourism Gains Momentum with Antigua Visitor Surge and Jamaica Wealth Retention Plan

Antigua and Barbuda reported a 7 percent rise in visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2026, welcoming 110,832 tourists – the strongest start on record for the island nation. Monthly arrivals grew from a 5 percent increase in January to an 8 percent rise in March, driven by growth from the United States and Europe. Officials also expect cruise passenger numbers to climb about 22 percent this year, supported by a US$30 million upgrade to the island’s cruise terminal and new luxury projects such as Nobu, Nikki Beach and Marriott International. The tourism authority cautioned that higher oil prices and rising operating costs remain challenges.

At the same Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett outlined a strategic shift from simply counting arrivals to retaining more of tourism‑generated wealth within the country. He emphasized professionalising the sector, improving wages, and building local capacity in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture and creative industries. Bartlett, now chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Supply‑Side Sub‑Committee, called for policies that enable local businesses to capture a larger share of tourism revenue and highlighted recent Spanish investment as part of this new approach.