For decades, the necessity of enhancing regional connectivity through maritime routes has been a focal point among tourism officials, business leaders, and various interest groups in the Caribbean. However, options for sea travel have remained largely restricted, with services like L’Express Des Îles primarily catering to sub-regional transport between French and Kweyol-speaking islands. Ferry services, with their dual capacity to transport both passengers and cargo, present a transformative opportunity for the region. Such connectivity could seamlessly link business and leisure travelers across destinations, fostering economic integration and unity among geographically proximate islands. This potential was a central theme on Day 2 of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025, where tourism ministers from across the Caribbean emphasized the value of expanded ferry services. Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism for Tobago, highlighted the pressing need for additional ferry capacity to address gaps caused by heavy domestic bookings on Caribbean Airlines, which currently serves as the primary carrier for international arrivals via Trinidad’s Piarco Airport. Burris underscored the strategic advantage of Tobago’s proximity to Grenada, Barbados, and Guyana, advocating for enhanced southern Caribbean connectivity. Grenada’s Minister of Tourism, Adrian Thomas, echoed these sentiments, noting that ferries could not only improve passenger transport but also transform agricultural waste into commercial opportunities by facilitating the movement of perishable goods. Thomas emphasized the cost-effectiveness of sea travel compared to air transport, particularly for inter-island journeys. Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism for Turks and Caicos, passionately argued for the establishment of a reliable regional supply chain, lamenting the inefficiency of current shipping routes that often detour through Miami, inflating costs and impacting the cost of living. Jolly called for coordinated efforts within regional organizations like CARICOM and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation to address these logistical challenges. While the discussions at SOTIC 2025 highlighted the immense potential of ferry services, the realization of this vision hinges on the decisive actions of key stakeholders.
‘Ferries, not flights’: Caribbean officials push for cost-effective, cargo-friendly sea links
