Central America and South America Outpace Regional Travel Growth, Amadeus and UN Tourism Report Finds

Regional Travel Growth Overview

A report from Amadeus, in collaboration with UN Tourism, analyzed travel trends across the Americas between May 2025 and April 2026. The report found that overall passenger traffic in the Americas grew by 0.8% year-over-year. However, growth rates varied significantly by subregion. Central America recorded the highest growth at 7.5%, followed by South America at 5.5%. North America saw a slight decline of 0.1%, while the Caribbean experienced a contraction of 2.5%.

Emerging Destinations and Search Trends

The report highlighted a shift in traveler interest toward less traditional destinations. Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador experienced the strongest increases in travel search interest, with year-over-year growth rates of 34%, 33%, and 31% respectively. Other destinations, such as Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the Cayman Islands, also showed notable momentum in both search and booking data.

While search interest increased significantly, actual bookings in Central America have not yet matched this growth. Most destinations in the subregion reported booked air traffic below the previous year’s levels, except for Belize and Honduras, which saw a 1% increase each. This indicates a period of adjustment, with potential for future growth if search interest translates into bookings.

Intra-Regional and International Demand

Intra-regional travel continues to be the primary source of demand within Latin America. In South America, search growth from the United States (39%) and Canada (35%) suggests potential for increased future bookings. Additionally, the report identified rising interest from Asian markets, particularly Japan and the Philippines.

Air traffic from the Philippines to Central America grew by 10%, while travel to South America and the Caribbean from the same country increased by 8% and 7%, respectively. Japanese interest in Central America rose by 20% year-over-year, and travel from Japan to South America increased by 8%.

Performance in the Caribbean and Other Destinations

Within the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic remained the top booked destination, with a modest 2% year-over-year increase. Aruba, the fifth most booked destination, saw air bookings rise by 8% and search volumes by 36%. Smaller destinations such as Montserrat, Sint Maarten, and the Cayman Islands also experienced significant growth in search and booking activity, though some increases were from a low base.

Hospitality Sector and Booking Patterns

The hospitality sector across the Americas remained stable during the period. In the Caribbean, hotel occupancy held steady during peak season, and average daily rates were maintained. South America’s hotel occupancy followed a seasonal pattern, peaking in November and again in March.

Traveler demographics and booking windows varied by subregion. The Caribbean attracted a broad range of travelers aged 36 to 65, while Central America’s largest demographic was leisure travelers aged 26 to 65. Both regions saw a preference for long-term planning, with 25% of bookings made 61 to 180 days in advance. In contrast, South America had a higher share of short-term bookings, with 1-to-14-day lead times accounting for a significant portion, indicating a tendency toward spontaneous travel.

Data Sources and Methodology

The report’s findings are based on data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence and Amadeus Destination Gateway, which aggregate information from air travel, hotel bookings, and traveler behavior to provide a comprehensive view of tourism trends in the Americas.