Tourism Minister Gary Rutty says the sector has delivered significant economic growth for the first half of this year for the Cayman Islands as the British Overseas Territory registered a near seven per cent increase in cruise ship passengers.
Figures released by the Department of Tourism show that for the first half of 2026, the island welcomed 681,391 cruise passengers, a 6. 8 per cent compared to the same period in 2025 with tourism officials saying this increase underscored the destination’s robust growth trajectory across every segment of tourism industry. ‘Tourism is one of the strongest engines of our national economy, and a record first half of the year means that engine is delivering for Caymanians,’ said Rutty, adding that ‘growth of this type extends well beyond the arrivals hall.
‘It is shown in the wages of our hospitality workers, in the order books of our restaurants, taxi operators, water sports businesses and small suppliers, and in the confidence of those choosing to invest in our tourism product. Eight consecutive months of stayover growth, alongside sustained cruise arrivals, gives our people and our businesses something they can plan around,’ Rutty said, adding that the Cayman Islands government remains committed to ensuring that this growth continues to create real, lasting opportunity across all three Islands.’
In addition, hotel revenue for the first half of the year recorded an increase of 17.3 per cent when compared to the first six months of 2025.
‘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 the Director of Tourism, Rosa Harris.
‘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.’
She said that Canada’s rise from a secondary market to a primary one, and the new Austin service that followed the Cayman Islands’ aviation trade engagement, are examples of that work translating into measurable results.
‘As we move through the summer months, the Department remains focused on strengthening our airlift, deepening our travel trade partnerships in our growing markets like Canada, the UK, Ireland and Europe, and continuing to position the Cayman Islands as a preferred year-round destination,’ she added.
According to the tourism figures released here, the Cayman Islands welcomed 40,460 stayover visitors in June 2026 recording its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year stayover growth.
This was a 6.9 per cent increase compared with June 2025 with growth led by the United States and strongly supported by increased visitation from Canada and Europe.
June’s performance solidified a record first half of 2026 for the destination, with stayover arrivals between January and June reaching 288,694, an increase of 11.3 per cent from the same period in 2025.
The destination also welcomed 55,639 cruise passengers in June, an increase of 15.5 per cent compared with June 2025. Total visitation for June, including both stayover and cruise passengers, was 96,099 up 11.7 per cent year over year.
Canada was the destination’s fastest growing market in June recording its strongest June on record with arrivals reaching 1,679, an increase of 44.1 per cent compared with June 2025. Arrivals from Canada for the first half of the year reached a record 26,674, up 48.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.
European markets also showed solid gains in June, reflecting the continued strength of the destination’s strategic partnerships with travel trade in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and European markets.
Visitors from the UK and Ireland increased by 4.1 per cent, while Continental Europe recorded the strongest increase at 73.9 per cent, led by growth from France, Germany, and Spain. Arrivals from UK and Ireland for the first half of the year rose by eight per cent and arrivals from Continental Europe increased by 22.9 per cent.
The figures also show that Latin America saw a modest dip of 4.8 per cent in June, however the market’s overall performance for the first half of the year showed a more positive outlook with arrivals up 10.8 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
The Department of Tourism said this increase in arrivals is evidence of growing interest among Latin American travellers in the Cayman Islands as an alternative warm-weather destination as the result of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s strategic engagement in the region.
The United States generated the largest absolute increase of any market in June, adding 2,259 visitors for growth of 6.8 per cent compared with June 2025.