Travel agencies in Trinidad and Tobago are observing a significant reduction in tourist bookings to Venezuela’s Margarita Island as geopolitical friction intensifies between the United States and the Venezuelan government. Despite the downturn, industry representatives emphasize that the island remains secure, fully operational, and detached from the mainland’s political struggles.
The decline follows recent aggressive measures by the US against President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. On December 16, US President Donald Trump mandated a blockade targeting sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, aiming to cripple the nation’s primary revenue stream. This action succeeded earlier moves, including the US declaration of Venezuelan airspace as entirely closed—though without explicit operational guidelines—and the seizure of an oil tanker bound for Cuba near Venezuelan waters on December 10. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines terminated all flights to Venezuela in September.
Travel agents, who requested anonymity in discussions with Newsday on December 17, attributed the booking slump largely to public apprehension and misinformation rather than tangible security threats. A spokesperson for Travel Your Way Tours confirmed a visible decline since tensions escalated, with zero December bookings despite consistent feedback from recent travelers noting no issues. “Margarita Island is separate from mainland Venezuela. We’ve never had any issues,” the representative stated, highlighting uninterrupted Rutaca Airlines flights and absence of official travel advisories.
The Vacation Connection Tours reported a near-total halt in interest since late October, with customers expressing fears over potential airspace closures and stranding scenarios. Although fares have risen from approximately $2,500 to $3,500, flights via Rutaca continue regularly, and the island is described as safe by local tour operators. Similarly, Anders Travel cited social media as a key driver of anxiety, disseminating exaggerated claims about unrest despite normalcy on the island. The agency relies on real-time security updates from Venezuelan partners and confirmed current visitors are engaging in routine activities without incident.
Industry optimism persists for a rebound during peak travel periods like Easter and Labour Day, given Margarita’s historical popularity as an affordable, tranquil destination.