Caribbean destinations are showing resilience amid the challenges of COVID-19, led by the tourism hub of Punta Cana, according to a new report from Expedia Group. 

Searches for Caribbean destinations on Expedia Group sites had a positive increase last month, driven in large part by the Dominican Republic, long the region’s most popular destination by volume. 

Of all international searches, the Dominican Republic (along with Puerto Rico, which remains closed for tourism) accounted for 30 percent in August and almost 35 percent for October searches. 

And it was the Dominican Republic’s tourism hub of Punta Cana that was the top searched destination in the Caribbean, Expedia said. 

The Dominican Republic reopened its borders for tourism on July 1 after several months of lockdown. 

Now, scores of hotels in the destination have reopened, as Caribbean Journal reported this week. 

The country is currently requiring all travelers to produce a negative COVID-19 PRC test taken within five days of departure.

As for Puerto Rico, which had planned to reopen for tourism July 15 but soon thereafter closed its tourism sector, search activity remained strong, particularly for travel to San Juan. 

“We are still learning the true COVID-19 impact on travel industry,” said Freddy Dominguez, Vice President Market Management Latin America for Expedia Group. “For Expedia Group it was to listen to our travel partners and to build out solutions to address their needs responded.  We saw the true meaning of partnership coming through, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, when we realized the need to support both travelers and our lodging partners.”

— cJ