Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (29 June 2018) The Cayman Islands welcomed a total of 209,143 visitors in the first five months of 2018. This reflects a 16.51 percent increase over 2017 which is a total of 29,637 more stayover visitors. This performance comes as May marks the 14th consecutive month air arrivals into the Cayman Islands have surpassed the previous year’s corresponding arrivals. 35,916 visitors visited in the month of May, a 22.4 percent increase over 2017. Cruise arrivals also increased by 30 percent with 123, 203 passengers.

“Preliminary estimates from the Department of Tourism show that the increase in visitation for cruise and stayover in the first five months of the year accounts for an additional CI $45 million in visitor spending, bringing the total visitor spend to CI $325 million,” commented Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Moses Kirkconnell. “The tourism industry of the Cayman Islands is an important economic driver that leads to job creation and national development for which we all benefit. Our tourism stakeholders should be extremely proud of our collective performance and I am optimistic that we can continue this positive trend throughout 2018.”

Arrivals from the United States were up 26.50 percent which were driven by arrivals from the Northeast and Southeast regions and saw 22.59 and 33.10 percent growth respectively. The Midwest region showed an increase 38.29 percent, while the Southwest grew by 24.46 percent. The West Coast continues to grow with an increase of 28.65 percent. Arrivals from Canada demonstrate a steady incline by 5.99 percent increase and representing the 11th consecutive month of growth for Canada. Arrivals from Latin America and Europe also grew by 23.83 and 2.18 percent respectively.

“Crossing the threshold of 400,000 stay over visitors in 2017 was an impressive achievement, accomplished through strategic planning and collaboration amongst the entire tourism sector and our global teams,” said Mrs. Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands. “Achieving great milestones for 2018 and beyond will be led by the vision of our National Tourism Plan, ongoing commitment to innovative strategic marketing practises, and working in partnership to identify and attract the right mix of visitors to our shores.”