A record-breaking number of tourists visited Anguilla in 2016.

The island welcomed 79,239 tourist arrivals, an increase of 8.2 percent over 2015 —among the highest growth rates of any destination in the Caribbean.

Arrivals from the island’s largest source market — the United States., which accounts for 64 percent of tourist arrivals to Anguilla — were up 6.9 percent to 50,508 visitors.

The Canadian market showed solid growth as well, as the 3,501 tourist arrivals in 2016 represented a 3.1 percent increase over 2015.

The U.K. market recorded 2,968 tourist arrivals, a 7.8 increase over 2015; Italy’s 1,106 tourist arrivals were down 12.3 percent; while Germany’s tourist arrivals of 626 were up by 50 percent.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor