GRAND CAYMAN — February was a strong month for the Cayman Islands, which welcomed 49,075 stayover visitors, a 10.1% increase year over year and the second-highest February total on record.
Canada led the month’s growth, continuing its record-setting momentum with double-digit gains for the fourth consecutive month. A total of 6,102 Canadian visitors arrived in February, representing a 47% increase year over year and the highest monthly visitation ever recorded from the market.
Overall visitation, including both stayover and cruise arrivals, reached 208,992 visitors, up 7.3% compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date stayover arrivals climbed to 95,112 visitors, an 11.8% increase over 2025, building on a record-breaking January.
“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. The Cayman Islands continues to perform at a high level across multiple markets, reinforcing our position as a leading premium destination in the Caribbean,” said Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Trade Development.
GROWTH FROM KEY MARKETS
The United States remained the largest source market, generating 38,673 stayover visitors in February, up 5.4% year over year and marking the second-strongest February on record. Growth was led by the Midwest and South regions, supported by expanded service from Chicago and Miami.
Other international markets also contributed to the destination’s strong performance. Visitation from the UK and Ireland reached 1,783 visitors, up 12.8% year over year and representing a record February for the region despite no increase in airlift capacity. Continental Europe saw a 24% increase, while Latin America posted a 7% gain, reflecting ongoing efforts to diversify the visitor base.
Expanded airlift continues to play a critical role in supporting growth, with total inbound capacity from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada increasing by 20.9% in February. New and expanded services from key gateways, including Fort Lauderdale, New York, Detroit, Toronto and Ottawa, have further strengthened connectivity.
Hotel performance also remained strong, with data from STR showing an 8.7% increase in average daily rate compared to February 2025.
Looking ahead, the Cayman Islands is well positioned to maintain its growth trajectory through the first quarter of 2026, supported by continued demand and enhanced connectivity across key markets.
“Cayman’s visitor chooses our destination due to its accessibility, safety and premium positioning. February’s performance reflects the strength of our global demand and the effectiveness of our strategic investment in developing emerging markets. We look forward to continuing to deliver meaningful results for the destination,” said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism.
