As it prepares to launch a major new airport, St Vincent and the Grenadines is reporting very strong tourism growth so far in 2016, according to the government’s latest data.

The archipelago is reporting an increase in stayover arrivals of 8.2 percent, among the fastest-growing rates in the Caribbean region.

That included more than 22,000 stayover visitors in the first quarter of 2016.

The Palm Island Resort

St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism is also showing strong growth in the yachting sector, with a 7.1 percent increase in the first quarter in yacht arrivals.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Minister Cecil McKie said he and his team were “encouraged” by the data in the first quarter and in 2015.

The country is closer to debuting a major new airport that would be its first true international airport — meaning the capacity to receive international jets rather than just regional ones.

It’s not yet clear when the opening date will be.