Turks and Caicos Tourism Is Surging Right Now

By: - May 24th, 2022
turks and caicos rules travelers
A villa at the Shore Club, Turks and Caicos.

Tourist arrival numbers continue to surge to Turks and Caicos, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The destination’s numbers in the first quarter were just about even with what had been spectacular visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2019. 

Indeed, Turks and Caicos welcomed 138,762 arrivals in the first quarter, which represented 98 percent of the same period in 2019. 

The 98 percent number represents one of the strongest tourism recoveries in the entire Caribbean region.

turks and caicos travelers rules
The Dragon Cay resort on Middle Caicos.

“The tourism industry is poised for a full recovery,” said Mary Lightbourne, the acting director of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. 

“The first quarter, especially March, is traditionally excellent for winter vacationers, and has seen a robust [change] in visitor arrivals, almost paralleling the corresponding month in 2019, which saw the best pre-COVID arrivals for the sector,” Lightbourne said. 

Turks and Caicos has been reporting an average month-to-month increase of 33 percent so far in 2022. 

turks and caicos tourism surging
The Sands at Grace Bay resort in Turks and Caicos.

The United States continues to be the destination’s primary source market, according to data from the Tourist Board. 

“These arrival figures are indicative that the Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be a sort after destination,” Lightbourne said. “We are indeed on pace to increase our arrivals in the coming weeks and months, welcoming all our guests to our Beautiful by Nature isles.”

The growth comes as Turks and Caicos last month lifted its pre-testing requirements for all vaccinated travelers. 

For more, visit Turks and Caicos

About the author

Alexander Britell is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caribbean Journal and one of the top experts on Caribbean travel worldwide, with decades of on-the-ground travel to the region and comprehensive knowledge of the entire Caribbean Basin.
News

Disney Wish to Sail Bahamas Cruises in 2023 

bahamas disney wish

Disney’s new Disney Wish cruise ship will be sailing its first full summer from Port Canaveral next year, Caribbean Journal has learned.  Disney Wish, the company’s newest cruise ship, will be homeporting at Port Canaveral for a series of three and four-night cruises to The Bahamas.  The cruises will stop in Nassau and at Disney’s […]

News

Barbuda’s Biggest Festival Is Returning

barbuda festival

The biggest festival in Barbuda is making a comeback this year after a two-year hiatus amid the pandemic.  The Caribana Festival, a four-day celebration of “culture, music and pageantry,” will make its return from June 3-6.  This year’s theme is “revising our culture needs me and you,” according to organizers.  “We promise it will be […]

News

Barbados Just Waived Testing for Vaccinated Travelers 

barbados house small resorts

In a significant step, the island of Barbados has removed all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers.  The move comes as more than 70 percent of the eligible population in Barbados is fully vaccinated, according to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley.  She said removing the entry test requirement would “have positive implications for the country’s tourism […]


Curacao Is Topping Its Pre-Pandemic Tourism Totals 

In a significant milestone, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao just eclipsed its pre-pandemic numbers for the month of April.  Last month, Curacao reported 42,715 stayover visitors, representing 106 percent of its arrivals in April 2019.  That was buoyed by the destination’s decision to remove all testing protocols for inbound travelers. The European market continued […]

Two New Marriott Hotels to Open in St Thomas This Fall 

The long awaited transformation of the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef property in St Thomas is slated to debut this fall.  Aimbridge Hospitality has announced that it will be opening two new hotels in St Thomas: the Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef and The Seaborn at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection.  Aimbridge will manage both […]

The Bahamas’ Rosewood Baha Mar Has a New Sommelier

In a significant milestone, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao just eclipsed its pre-pandemic numbers for the month of April.  Last month, Curacao reported 42,715 stayover visitors, representing 106 percent of its arrivals in April 2019.  That was buoyed by the destination’s decision to remove all testing protocols for inbound travelers. The European market continued […]

Jamaica’s Legendary Reggae Sumfest Is Back 

The legendary Reggae Sumfest is back this year, with the legendary festival set to be held in person for the first time since before the pandemic.  This year’s event will be held from July 18 to July 23 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay.  It’s historically been the largest reggae festival in the Caribbean.  Some […]