Canada was Cayman Islands' fastest-growing market in June

The Cayman Islands is seeing record-breaking growth from Canada, with the country emerging as the destination's fastest-growing source market in June of this year.

According to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Canada recorded its strongest June on record with 1,679 stayover arrivals, a 44.1 per cent increase compared with June 2025.

For the first half of the year, Canadian arrivals reached a record 26,674, up 48.9 per cent compared with the same period last year. Canada's share of total year-to-date stayover visitation also grew to 9.2 per cent, up from 6.9 per cent in 2025.

The destination welcomed 40,460 stayover visitors in June, a 6.9 per cent increase over June 2025, marking its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year stayover growth.

Growth was led by the United States and supported by increased visitation from Canada and Europe.

From January through June, the Cayman Islands welcomed a record 288,694 stayover visitors, an increase of 11.3 per cent compared with the first half of 2025.

Cruise arrivals continue to rise

Cruise visitation also increased in June, with the Cayman Islands welcoming 55,639 cruise passengers, up 15.5 per cent year over year.

Combined stayover and cruise visitation reached 96,099 visitors during the month, representing an overall increase of 11.7 per cent compared with June 2025.

For the first six months of 2026, cruise arrivals totalled 681,391 passengers, an increase of 6.8 per cent over the same period last year.

"Tourism is one of the driving forces behind the Cayman Islands economy, and the ongoing growth in visitor arrivals conveys that our tourism industry is strong and delivering real benefits to our people," said Hon. Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development.

“Every additional visitor creates opportunities that extend far beyond our airports and cruise port. They support jobs and generate business for our tourism and hospitality sectors, while giving investors the confidence to continue enhancing our tourism product.”

European markets also posted gains in June, while the U.S. remained the destination's largest source market in June, adding 2,259 visitors for growth of 6.8 per cent compared with June 2025.

Airlift expansion supports growth

The Department of Tourism said June's visitation was supported by expanded airlift.

Inbound air capacity from the United States and Canada, together with British Airways' London-Grand Cayman service via Nassau, increased 13.9 per cent year over year.

Growth was driven by additional capacity from Toronto, Chicago, Miami and Atlanta, as well as new service from Ottawa, Fort Lauderdale and Austin.

Hotel performance strengthens

The increase in visitor arrivals also translated into stronger hotel performance.

According to STR Inc., hotel occupancy reached 61 per cent in June, up 5.3 percentage points compared with June 2025.

Average Daily Rate increased 6.7 per cent year over year, while Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed 16.8 per cent.

Year-to-date through June, occupancy rose to 73.3 per cent, while ADR increased 6.2 per cent and RevPAR was up 16.3 per cent.

Hotel revenue for the first half of the year increased 17.3 per cent compared with the first six months of 2025, despite an increase in room inventory following the opening of ONE GT in May.

“Results like these are never accidental”

“Results like these are never accidental. They are the product of steady, deliberate work by the team at the Department of Tourism and by our partners right across the industry,” said Rosa Harris, director of tourism, in a press release.

“Eight consecutive months of stayover growth reflects the disciplined execution of a clear strategy – diversifying our source markets, securing, and sustaining airlift, deepening our travel trade relationships, and keeping the Cayman Islands visible in the markets that matter most. Canada’s rise from a secondary market to a primary one, and the new Austin service that followed our aviation trade engagement, are examples of that work translating into measurable results.”

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