San Juan, Puerto Rico - The online travel agency released data about travelers' growing interest in the Caribbean region, which is shaping up to be a favorite by the end of 2022. During an event that Expedia Group hosted for travel industry business partners, Salim Arkuch, Expedia Group's Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, revealed that recent searches for winter season increased by 30% and 15%, compared to the same periods in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Busy summers are back
With a remarkable return of travel, in part thanks to the reopening of international markets, to tourism in the first few months of this year, the Caribbean was one of the most attractive regions for travelers this summer. When compared to pre-pandemic levels, this year interest in Caribbean nations surpassed (+60%) 2019 figures, according to Expedia Group data.
The pandemic brought a shift in destination demand, where Ocho Rios, Jamaica; St. Lucia, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands ranked ahead of Barbados, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands in the top 10 Caribbean destinations booked by international travelers.
There was a noticeable increase (+5%) in three- to six-month searches over 2019 and 2021, meaning travelers keep looking for short-term travel. In addition to this data there is a year-on-year interest of over ten percentage (+10%) in the search for packages; that is, services purchased in bulk such as air, tours, and car rentals, among others, as they have a greater certainty to travelers of personalized assistance if required, especially in international travel.
A long-awaited sunny winter
According to data from Expedia Group, there is an average growth of stay room nights (+10%) in Q2, compared to the same periods in 2019. The ADR increases (+20%) compared to 2019 and increases slightly by +5%, opposite to 2021. Among the most popular destinations are Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Aruba; San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as Nassau and Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
The United States continues to be the most important outbound market, accounting for +70% of total inbound searches. With the opening of borders and the lifting of travel restrictions, Canada becomes the second-largest outbound market, with a 105% year-over-year growth in searches.
During the event, Arkuch shared some details of what people value most, such as travel and time off. According to the Traveler Value Index: 2022 Outlook study, after two years of the pandemic, travelers have begun to adapt to the reality of COVID-19, placing importance on flexible travel and an interest in travel with a conscience. This report highlights the resilience of the industry and gives insight into how travel companies can adapt to gain a competitive advantage in the current context.
After the lockdown, one of the most important events of the Caribbean travel industry returns to bring the key players face to face. In this context, Expedia Group reinforces its support by sharing information so that its Caribbean travel partners have greater visibility and can make strategic decisions based on real-time data.
