Along with proximity to the U.S. East Coast and robust business infrastructure, one of our unique selling proposition is, clearly, how well weve been able to manage the virus, said Premier David Burt.

Since launching its remote-worker visa program in July, Bermuda has received almost 600 applications. It may be a drop in the economic bucket but every drop counts.

Comfort zones

Barbados has also pushed hard and, since launching its Barbados Welcome Stamp in July, is playing host to almost 3,000 remote workers.

We have no plans to sunset the program, said Eusi Skeete, the U.S. director at Barbados Tourism Marketing. It has extended the life cycle of visitors on our island.

Competition is heating up. The Cayman Islands, which remains closed to general tourism, launched its Global Citizen Concierge Program last month for remote workers who make more than $100,000 a year and provide proof of employment and heath insurance.

The crowded market means destinations have to move beyond their usual pitch of beach, beauty, rum and sun.

Look, its the Caribbean, every place has beautiful beaches, and we have them in droves, said Rod Miller, the chief executive officer of Invest Puerto Rico, the U.S. territorys investment promotion agency. But we also have a critical mass in terms of business, opportunity and connectivity to the U.S. mainland in a way that these other markets dont have.

Part of Puerto Ricos pitch is that its a seamless transition for U.S. mainlanders a Caribbean island that doesnt require a passport, has multiple daily flights to the East Coast and where your mobile phone, Netflix account and health insurance work as soon as you deplane.

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'I just never went back': Caribbean islands looking to replace tourists with long-term workers - National Post