Earlier this year at the Caribbean Travel Forum, I had the privilege of moderating one of our most important conversations yet: the future of Intra-Caribbean travel. The discussion was honest, data-driven, and—above all—action-oriented. And it underscored what we all know but too often fail to act on: the Caribbean’s economic potential is limited without making it easier and more affordable for our people—and for travelers interested in our region—to move freely and connect across our destinations.

For decades, regional travel served as the foundation of our tourism ecosystem. It was reliable, frequent, and indispensable. Today, it is the outlier—overshadowed by long-haul markets, strangled by taxes, and burdened by fragmented regulations. While international arrivals rebound, regional traffic continues to decline. The cost of a short inter-island flight often exceeds that of a round-trip ticket to Miami. This is unsustainable.

But it is not irreversible.

The truth is, we have the capacity—40 million Caribbean people strong, plus the millions of visitors who are eager to explore multiple destinations within the region—and we have the demand. What’s missing is coordinated action. Action to right-size our aviation infrastructure. Action to reduce burdensome fees and taxes. Action to update outdated visa and regulatory frameworks.

The cost of inaction is high. Without robust intra-regional movement, the opportunity for airline profitability remains limited, event attendance suffers, and the creative sectors lose opportunities for greater visibility and cross-market exposure. And our economies—especially in the off-season—remain vulnerable. When both Caribbean residents and visitors travel within the region, the benefits are wide-reaching: local restaurants, shops, artists, farmers, retailers, and more all gain from the increased movement.

As we look toward the remainder of 2025 amid a tightening global economy, strengthening regional linkages becomes even more urgent—not just in travel, but across the tourism value chain. That means buying and sourcing more locally, investing in our people, and recognizing the economic power that already exists within our borders.

I left the Forum more convinced than ever: the time to act is now. And the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association will continue working alongside governments, airlines, and regional institutions to break down barriers and reignite the spirit of connectivity that built this industry in the first place.

Let’s stop asking why regional travel doesn’t work—and start building the version of it that does.

Warmly,

Sanovnik Destang

President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association