As 2021 opens with new COVID variants and continuing border restrictions, Caribbean property markets display remarkable resilience driven by diaspora buyers and the Barbados Welcome Stamp phenomenon. We assess the year ahead.

The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season has been quieter than forecast through August, providing relief for Caribbean property and tourism markets. Guyana’s oil investment momentum continues to build post-Payara discovery. Panama Papers regulatory aftershocks continue to reshape Caribbean offshore structures and CBI programmes.

One month after the Brexit vote, Caribbean markets are absorbing the sterling weakness and BOT constitutional uncertainty. ExxonMobil’s Payara discovery in Guyana adds another layer of excitement to the emerging oil economy. Caribbean summer tourism continues to perform strongly despite the global political turbulence.

Two landmark events fell within our June coverage period: the UK voted Leave on 23 June, sending shockwaves through Caribbean British Overseas Territories and sterling-funded buyer markets; and ExxonMobil announced the Liza Phase 1 Final Investment Decision on 29 June, a transformative moment for Guyana and the broader Caribbean investment landscape.

ExxonMobil’s announcement of a world-class oil discovery at the Liza-1 well on the Guyana Stabroek Block on 20 May 2015 has electrified the Caribbean investment community. This edition covers the most transformative energy event in the region’s modern history and its far-reaching property market implications.

Caribbean investment momentum deepens as the region enters its peak summer season. Guyana’s Stabroek Block drilling programme approaches a critical juncture, Jamaica’s IMF programme continues to yield results, and tourism data points to a record year across the archipelago.