One of the Fastest-Growing Destinations in the Caribbean This Year? The Cayman Islands

Tourism to the Cayman Islands is surging in early 2025, with the destination posting solid growth across both the stayover and cruise segments in the first three months of the year. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean this year, according to data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization. 

According to newly released data from the CTO, the destination recorded 144,395 stayover visitor arrivals between January and March, a 5.3 percent increase over the same period in 2024.

The increase reflects continued demand from key source markets, led by the United States, which remains the largest contributor to the Cayman Islands’ tourism arrivals. 

Cruise tourism saw even stronger growth to start the year. The Cayman Islands welcomed 448,256 cruise passengers in the first quarter, a 12.1 percent year-over-year increase. That growth came as cruise lines expanded itineraries in the Western Caribbean and added larger ships to the region.

Together, the two segments signal a strong start for one of the Caribbean’s top-performing destinations. The stayover and cruise markets had already seen a resurgence in 2024, and the latest numbers suggest that recovery is now solidifying into consistent upward momentum.

The growth is also being supported by destination marketing efforts and a focus on high-value tourism, part of the Cayman Islands’ long-term strategy to enhance visitor experience while maximizing economic impact.

That’s not a surprise for a destination that has long set the tone for luxury tourism in the Caribbean. 

There’s more optimism heading into the summer. 

With positive indicators across the board, the Cayman Islands is positioning itself for one of its best years of tourism since the pandemic.