Americans who flocked to the islands in record numbers until recently are finding new destinations or staying home, leading to declines of more than 10% this year in islands including Jamaica, St. Lucia and Grenada.
Governments have aimed marketing pitches at Canada and Europe to compensate for slippage in the American market, which accounts for about 60% of the region's vital tourism business.
"The trickle-down effect is huge," said Richard Kahn, a spokesman for the Caribbean Tourism Organization. "In the long run, this could mean the loss of jobs throughout the Caribbean."
A new passport rule has discouraged some travelers. Americans returning by air from the Caribbean were required to present the document beginning earlier this year, although the U.S. is temporarily accepting proof of application because of a backlog."
Is this the beginning of the much ballyhooed American international tourism as a result of the new passport requirements? Or is it just sign of indifference to the extra hassle involved with vacation travel?