The Cayman Islands is continuing a strong start to 2026, posting one of its best February tourism performances on record, according to newly released data from the destination’s tourism officials.
The Caribbean hotspot welcomed 49,075 stayover visitors in February 2026, a 10.1 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The total marks the second-highest February on record, coming within 3 percent of the all-time peak set in 2020.
It’s also seeing a major ramp-up in travel from Canada.
Cruise traffic also climbed during the month, with 159,917 passengers arriving, a 6.5 percent increase year over year. Altogether, the Cayman Islands recorded 208,992 total visitors in February, representing a 7.3 percent increasecompared to February 2025.
The strong February performance builds on a record-setting January, pushing year-to-date stayover arrivals to 95,112 visitors, up 11.8 percent over the same period last year.
One of the biggest drivers of the recent growth has been Canada, which continued its momentum with double-digit increases in stayover arrivals for the fourth consecutive month. The market has emerged as a key source of demand, particularly during the winter travel season.
Tourism officials attribute the sustained growth to a combination of expanded airlift, targeted marketing efforts, and ongoing partnerships across the travel industry.
“Delivering one of the strongest February performances in our history, following a record-breaking January, demonstrates the continued success of our strategic focus on airlift expansion, targeted marketing and strong industry partnerships,” said Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Trade Development for the Cayman Islands.
With back-to-back strong months to start the year, the Cayman Islands is positioning itself for continued growth in 2026, reinforcing its standing as one of the Caribbean’s leading premium travel destinations.
The destination is set for another big boost with the upcoming debut of one of its most anticipated hotels in years, One GT.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-04-09 00:10:00