Anguilla, St. Vincent, the US Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada Lead Caribbean Tourism Growth

The Caribbean’s tourism story in 2026 isn’t about more than recovery. It’s about momentum.

Across the region, destinations are welcoming more overnight visitors than they did a year ago, with some islands posting double-digit growth as stronger airlift, new hotels and sustained demand continue to fuel another banner year for Caribbean travel.

The latest first-quarter data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization reveal five destinations that are pulling ahead of the pack. Together, they represent every corner of the region, from boutique luxury islands to the Caribbean’s largest tourism powerhouse.

Here’s a closer look at the five fastest-growing tourism destinations in the Caribbean right now.

1. Anguilla: Up 24.6 Percent

No Caribbean destination is growing faster than Anguilla.

The island welcomed 46,691 stayover visitors during the first quarter of 2026, a remarkable 24.6 percent increasecompared to the same period last year.

Much of the momentum continues to come from Anguilla’s position as one of the Caribbean’s premier luxury destinations. Resorts like Cap Juluca, Four Seasons Resort and Malliouhana continue to attract affluent travelers, while the island’s villa market keeps expanding. Add world-class beaches like Shoal Bay East, Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay, along with one of the Caribbean’s strongest dining scenes, and Anguilla continues to draw travelers looking for a quieter, more refined Caribbean vacation.

Improved connectivity through neighboring St. Maarten has also made reaching the island easier than ever.

2. St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Up 12.8 Percent

St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues its steady rise.

The destination recorded 34,959 stayover visitors in the first quarter, representing 12.8 percent growth year over year.

The opening of Argyle International Airport has transformed international connectivity over the last several years, helping introduce more travelers to one of the Caribbean’s most diverse destinations. You can spend part of your vacation hiking through rainforest on mainland St. Vincent before sailing to Bequia, Canouan, Mustique or the Tobago Cays.

Luxury resorts, boutique hotels, sailing charters and adventure tourism continue to broaden the destination’s appeal well beyond its traditional visitor base.

3. U.S. Virgin Islands: Up 12.5 Percent

The U.S. Virgin Islands welcomed 306,601 stayover visitors between January and March, posting 12.5 percent growthover the same period in 2025.

Few Caribbean destinations have maintained stronger momentum in recent years.

Expanded nonstop air service, continued hotel investment and the convenience of passport-free travel for U.S. citizens have helped keep demand elevated across St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

Many visitors arrive for the beaches, from Magens Bay to Trunk Bay, then discover everything from sailing excursions and snorkeling to historic towns, national parks and an increasingly vibrant culinary scene.

4. Dominican Republic: Up 12.2 Percent

No destination welcomed more visitors than the Dominican Republic.

The country received an extraordinary 2,603,647 stayover visitors during the first quarter while still posting 12.2 percent growth, an impressive feat considering its already enormous tourism base.

Punta Cana continues to drive much of the country’s success, but demand remains strong across Puerto Plata, Samaná, La Romana, Santo Domingo and the north coast.

New hotel openings, continued airline expansion and one of the Caribbean’s broadest tourism offerings have helped the Dominican Republic maintain its position as the region’s undisputed tourism leader.

Growing by double digits while already welcoming millions of visitors is a remarkable achievement.

5. Grenada: Up 12.0 Percent

Grenada rounds out the top five after welcoming 54,565 stayover visitors during the first quarter, an increase of 12.0 percent compared to the same period last year.

Known as the Spice Isle, Grenada has quietly become one of the Caribbean’s most compelling destinations for travelers looking beyond the region’s biggest resort markets.

Luxury resorts like Silversands, Spice Island Beach Resort and Calabash continue to attract upscale visitors, while Grand Anse Beach, world-renowned diving, chocolate experiences and the island’s culinary scene keep drawing first-time travelers.

Continued growth in air service has also helped make Grenada more accessible from major North American markets.

A Strong Start for Caribbean Tourism

The first-quarter figures paint a picture of a Caribbean tourism industry that continues to expand, although the biggest gains are coming from very different kinds of destinations.

Anguilla is proving luxury demand remains exceptionally strong. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is benefiting from years of investment in connectivity. The U.S. Virgin Islands continues to capitalize on its convenience for American travelers. Grenada is steadily building its profile as one of the region’s standout boutique destinations.

Then there’s the Dominican Republic.

With more than 2.6 million stayover visitors in just three months while still growing 12.2 percent, the country continues to operate at numbers unmatched anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Taken together, the latest Caribbean Tourism Organization data point to a region where demand remains robust, new visitors continue to discover both established favorites and emerging destinations, and 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year for Caribbean travel.

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