Cayman Islands Poised for Successful 2025–2026 Winter Season as Strategic Enhancements in Travel Options Support Robust Visitor Growth

Published on January 6, 2026

The Cayman Islands have entered the 2025–2026 winter season with a strong start, as both stayover and cruise tourism show promising gains. Although annual totals are unlikely to surpass the record levels of 2019, early indicators point to a solid and resilient winter season for the islands’ tourism industry.

November emerged as a standout month, recording 133,972 combined visitors, a 4.6% increase compared with the same period in 2024. This growth underscores the islands’ continued global appeal and highlights the impact of expanded travel connectivity, including new flight routes and increased cruise calls.

Stayover Tourism Maintains Upward Momentum

Stayover visitors remain a central component of the Cayman Islands’ tourism performance. From January through November, the destination welcomed 395,611 stayover arrivals, a 2.5% increase over last year. Despite this steady growth, reaching a new annual record for stayover visitors appears challenging. December would need to bring more than 107,000 arrivals—nearly double the previous December peak of 54,188—to surpass 2019 levels.

November alone contributed 37,154 stayover visitors, up 7.5% from the previous year. This growth is largely attributed to expanded air services from North America, including new nonstop flights from Canadian cities and increased U.S. carrier capacity. These enhancements have made the islands more accessible to travelers, supporting both leisure and short-term business travel during the winter peak.

Canada has emerged as a leading growth market, with visitor numbers rising significantly due to greater seat availability and increased international media coverage. The United States also contributed strongly, reflecting improved flight schedules and convenience for travelers. Meanwhile, arrivals from the UK and Ireland increased slightly, continental Europe experienced a minor decline, and Latin American visitors grew steadily, supporting the overall mix of international tourism.

Tourism revenue reflected this growth. Between January and October, collections from the Tourism Accommodation Tax reached $38.2 million, up 6.9% compared with the previous year. These figures highlight the broader economic benefits of the sector and reinforce the importance of continued investment in facilities, services, and visitor experiences.

Cruise Tourism Shows Consistent Gains

Cruise arrivals in November grew by 3.5% over the same month last year. George Town welcomed several new ship calls, bringing an additional 7,778 passengers. Cruise visitors also had opportunities to engage with local culture, exploring Cayman-made products and supporting island artisans.

December is expected to be pivotal for cruise tourism. To surpass last year’s total, the islands would need 163,143 cruise arrivals, while achieving at least 117,125 passengers would prevent the lowest annual total since records began in 2000, excluding the COVID-19 years. According to the Port Authority schedule, up to 168,964 cruise passengers could arrive in December, though not all disembark.

Outlook for the Winter Season

Looking ahead, the Cayman Islands are entering the peak winter season with strong momentum. Expanded air connections, consistent cruise traffic, and ongoing investment in visitor experiences are expected to maintain growth well into the first quarter of 2026.

The combination of steady stayover arrivals and growing cruise activity positions the islands to capitalize on global travel demand. Key source markets continue to perform strongly, while enhanced accessibility and expanded flight options further reinforce the Cayman Islands’ status as a leading Caribbean destination.

The ability to balance growth across both stayover and cruise sectors demonstrates the destination’s resilience and adaptability. Continued development of tourism infrastructure, improved flight connectivity, and enriched cultural and recreational offerings provide visitors with diverse and memorable experiences while supporting broader economic growth.

With a strong start to the winter season, rising international interest, and sustained increases in tourism revenue, the Cayman Islands are poised to deliver a successful 2025–2026 winter season. The islands’ strategic focus on accessibility and visitor experience ensures they remain among the Caribbean’s most attractive and competitive destinations.