The Cayman Islands recorded a strong increase in visitor arrivals in February, with tourism numbers climbing across both air and cruise segments.

A total of 49,075 stayover visitors arrived during the month, a 10.1 per cent increase compared with February 2025 and the second-highest February figure on record. Cruise arrivals also rose, with 159,917 passengers visiting the destination, up 6.5 per cent year on year.

Combined, the figures brought total visitation to 208,992 for the month, representing a 7.3 per cent increase.

The growth continues a strong start to the year, following record-breaking results in January. Year-to-date stayover arrivals reached 95,112 visitors, an 11.8 per cent increase over the same period in 2025.

Tourism officials pointed to sustained demand from key markets, particularly Canada, which posted the strongest gains in February. The market recorded 6,102 visitors, a 47 per cent increase and its highest monthly total on record.

The United States remained the largest source market, accounting for 38,673 stayover visitors, up 5.4 percent compared with a year earlier. Growth was driven by increased arrivals from the Midwest and southern regions.

Other markets also contributed to the expansion. Arrivals from the United Kingdom and Ireland rose 12.8 percent to 1,783 visitors, marking a record February performance, while continental Europe saw a 24 percent increase. Latin America recorded a 7 per cent rise.

Officials said expanded airlift capacity from key gateways, including Chicago, Miami, Toronto and Ottawa, helped drive demand. Overall inbound airlift from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada increased by 20.9 per cent during the month.

Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Gary Rutty said the results reflect the effectiveness of the destination’s tourism strategy.

“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,” Rutty said.

Director of Tourism Rosa Harris said the figures highlight strong global demand and the importance of continued investment in key and emerging 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,” Harris said.

Hotel performance also remained solid, with average daily rates increasing by 8.7 per cent compared with February 2025, according to industry data.

With continued demand and increased connectivity, officials expect the destination to maintain its growth momentum through the first quarter of 2026.