St. Vincent and the Grenadines among Caribbean’s fastest-growing destinations in 2025

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been named one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism destinations for the first half of 2025, reflecting what officials describe as a record year of growth and investment for the island nation.

According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s latest performance report, the country recorded a 17.3 per cent increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2024.

This ranks it as the second fastest-growing destination in the region, behind only Guyana (18.3 per cent), and ahead of Curaçao (15.3 per cent) and Trinidad and Tobago (12.3 per cent).

The destination also led regional growth from the U.S. market, with arrivals rising by 58.7 per cent year over year, the highest increase among Caribbean nations reporting data from that market.

“This remarkable growth underscores St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ emergence as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic and promising destinations,” said Hon. Carlos James, minister of tourism, civil aviation, sustainable development and culture. 

“It reflects the hard work of our tourism teams, industry partners, and communities across our beautiful island. We are especially proud of the surge from the U.S. market, which validates our investments in airlift expansion and brand visibility. As we continue to build momentum, we will also explore new frontiers in markets such as South America and Asia, ensuring that St. Vincent and the Grenadines remains a globally competitive and inclusive tourism destination.”

New Beaches Resort announced

The growth follows confirmation of a new partnership between the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Sandals Resorts International to develop a US$500 million Beaches Resort at Mount Wynne. 

The project represents the largest single tourism investment in the country’s history.

The 500-room family resort will be located on the island’s west coast and is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation. 

It follows the opening of Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2024.

“This investment is a game-changer for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It represents confidence in our tourism sector and also in the Vincentian people, their talent, resilience, and hospitality,” said Minister James.

“The Beaches Resort will open doors to thousands of new jobs, stimulate local enterprise, and position our country as a hub for sustainable, family-oriented tourism. It is a testament to our vision of a tourism industry that drives inclusive economic growth, empowers our communities, and celebrates our natural and cultural heritage.”

Tourism development on the rise

The Beaches project is one of four major tourism developments currently underway, which also include a Marriott Hotel at Peter’s Hope, the rebuilding of the Palm Island Tourism Development Project and the Cumberland Resort and Marina. 

Together, the four projects represent more than EC$2 billion in investment and are projected to generate close to 4,000 jobs.

Annette Mark, CEO of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, said the country is expanding its reach into new global markets.

“South America and Asia represent untapped potential for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, markets that align well with our expanding airlift, cultural depth, and experiential tourism focus,” said Mark. 

“The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority will be developing strategies to build awareness, foster partnerships, and position our destination as a premier choice for travellers seeking authentic, meaningful experiences.”

With visitor arrivals now exceeding pre-pandemic levels and new service from airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is positioning itself for continued growth into 2026.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.