The Cayman Islands celebrated a banner year in 2024, with 437,842 stayover visitors—a 2% increase over 2023.
In 2024, Air Canada and WestJet expanded Toronto service with 237 flights, marking a 16.8% increase in seat capacity for December.
For the winter, WestJet and Air Canada offer up to seven non-stop flights weekly.
“We are thrilled by the remarkable performance of Canadian visitation to the Cayman Islands in 2024,” said Raymond Mathias, Canada Country Manager for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. “With six months of record arrivals from Canada, it’s clear that Canadians continue to be captivated by the unique experiences and warm hospitality our islands offer.”
March 2024 was the second-highest month ever for arrivals, with 57,040 visitors, while December recorded 52,046 visitors, a 4.3% year-over-year increase and the second-highest December in history.
Despite challenges such as an active hurricane season and the temporary closure of Owen Roberts International Airport due to Hurricane Beryl, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Kenneth Bryan praised the industry’s resilience.
Tourism revenues reflected the strong performance, with accommodation taxes and fees generating KYD $38.5 million (approximately CAD$68 million) from January to November, an 8% increase over 2023.
The U.S., Canada, and Europe all showed growth in visitor numbers, while airlift capacity increased by 8%, bolstered by 884,279 seats and 5,342 flights into the destination.
In the accommodations sector, the addition of VIDA Cayman Islands and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman added 578 bedrooms to the island’s inventory, increasing options for luxury and wellness-focused travellers.
“2024 was a standout year for the destination not only from a visitation perspective, but also for our business development and marketing efforts,” said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism.