Written by Ashley Proceviat, Sojern

As 2016 draws to a close, Sojern reviews the travel and tourism trends that made their mark on the Caribbean. A top emerging market for North Americans this year was Cuba. Travel interest rose 67% year over year for Americans, and 50% for Canadians, according to our North America Travel Trends Report released earlier this year.

With the relaxing of restrictions from the United States, Americans are showing an interest in this previously inaccessible island nation. Canadians, who were always able to visit, may be looking to visit before increased tourism changes the landscape of what it means to visit Cuba.

American travelers in general looked to Caribbean destinations for their holiday planning. Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines topped the overall list of emerging markets, with Guadeloupe and Martinique interest more than doubling year over year.

And Americans aren’t the only ones looking to these destinations. According to our latest Global Travel Insights Report, The French are looking to spend their winter holidays in the Caribbean, with Pointe-a-Pitre and Fort-de-France among the top five long-haul destinations in December.

Finally, Cancun remains a top destination for December travel for both North American and Latin American travelers. Known for its sandy white beaches, exciting nightlife, and nearby attractions, it’s no wonder that it remains a favourite among several regions.

If the trends continue, next year is poised to be another exciting year for Caribbean travel and we at Sojern look forward to bringing you all the insights in 2017 and beyond!