Cayman Islands reports ‘best-ever’ visitation numbers for January and February

The Cayman Islands has reported a “strong” start to 2026, welcoming record numbers of visitors in both January and February.

The destination received 47,047 stayover visitors in January, marking the strongest January on record and a 13.6% year-on-year increase.

This performance reflects a 9.7% increase from the previous record, which was set in January 2020.

Total visitation for the month, combining stayover and cruise visitors, reached 192,754.

The number of tourists from the UK and Ireland visiting the Cayman Islands in January also went up by 11.4% year on year, setting a new record for the month.

Hon. Gary Rutty, minister of tourism and trade development, said: “Achieving the strongest January in our history is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the strategic investments we have made in airlift, global marketing and partnerships with our tourism stakeholders.

“Double-digit growth from major markets indicates that the Cayman Islands brand remains highly competitive and deeply desired by travellers seeking a premium Caribbean experience.”

The region also enjoyed the “strongest February performance ever”, welcoming 1,782 visitors from the UK and Ireland, which reflects a 12.8% year-on-year increase.

This success follows a “record-breaking” December, marking three consecutive months of “record-setting stayover arrivals” and creating “strong momentum and confidence for continued growth”.

A boost in airlift, which has seen the destination’s total inbound seat capacity from the US, Canada and the UK via Nassau increase by 18,750 compared with January 2025, has been credited with helping drive visitation.

Director of tourism Rosa Harris said: “January’s record performance builds on the momentum established at the close of 2025 and reflects deliberate, data-driven decisions to expand air capacity in high-performing markets.

“With strong forward airlift projections for 2026, we are well-positioned to deliver on this demand throughout 2026.”

The destination hopes to continue to support growth in the UK through “expanded trade efforts”, including a new training platform and a series of UK agent events and fam trips.

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