Cayman tourism is on course for its strongest year since the pandemic, with new opportunities unfolding in key international markets. While the United States remains Cayman’s main source, accounting for 83% of stayover arrivals, there is increasing momentum from Canada and other markets.
Cayman has long been recognised as a premier destination for high-value, premium travellers, and strengthening ties with these emerging markets offers a path to broaden its reach within this lucrative segment.
“Based on first three months of 2025 performance, the destination is pacing at the same level as 2019 which saw the Cayman Islands welcome the highest number of stay over visitors on record,” Rosa Harris, Cayman Islands director of tourism, told the Compass.
In the first quarter of 2025, Cayman welcomed 144,395 stayover visitors, a 5.3% year-over-year increase. January and February were standout months, with arrivals up 7.7% and 7.1% respectively. This strong performance brings Cayman just 1,405 visitors shy of its first-quarter peak in 2019, when 145,804 stayover tourists arrived. That record-setting year saw 502,739 overnight visitors in total, marking an 8.6% rise over 2018. With current trends holding steady, 2025 could well be a landmark year for Cayman’s tourism sector.
Tapping into new markets or growing existing markets could make the difference in setting a new record for stayover tourists.
Canada is a major opportunity for Cayman tourism
Canada currently accounts for a modest 8.2% of Cayman’s overall stayover market; however, its growth potential is increasingly apparent. In the first quarter of 2025, Canadian arrivals jumped by 8.5%, with a notable 10% year-over-year rise in both January and February.
This growth comes as Canadian travel to the US is declining. Friction around trade policies and inflammatory rhetoric, including President Donald Trump’s suggestions of annexing Canada, have fuelled a sharp downturn in US-bound travel. According to global aviation data provider OAG, summer season bookings (April through September) have plunged more than 70% year-over-year, while a Longwoods International study found 60% of Canadians are now less likely to visit the US.
“For Canadian travellers, propensity to travel is influenced by balancing a fluctuating Canadian dollar with discretionary income and the opportunity to travel, amongst other considerations,” Harris said.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s ‘2024 Performance and 2025 Outlook Report‘ expresses optimism about rising Canadian arrivals across the region. In Cayman, this was reinforced by enhanced airlift by WestJet and Air Canada, both of which provide non-stop service between Grand Cayman and Toronto. Harris said airlift from those two airlines doubled in 2024 and is expected to continue at the same levels through 2025.
“Air Canada and WestJet have committed to the same level of seats for 2025, providing a strong opportunity for Canadians to travel to the destination,” she said.
TRAVELSAVERS Canada’s 2025 trend report also points to Canadians’ growing appetite for luxury experiences, putting it in alignment with Cayman’s premium tourism offerings.
Geopolitical shifts can accelerate growth
Global leisure travel is in the midst of a major realignment, with economic and political turbulence steering international tourists, including many from the US, toward more stable and accessible destinations.
For Cayman tourism, this shifting landscape offers a significant opportunity to capture new and returning visitors.
“The travel and tourism industry globally is vulnerable to many factors that shift demand and the recent change in travel habits presents an opportunity for destinations like the Cayman Islands,” Harris said.
“Market reports place travel as an important priority for consumers and we expect our audience to continue to travel. Our islands offer a compelling option with their natural beauty, safety and accessibility with great airlift options.”
Cayman’s proximity to key source markets, widespread English fluency and consistently pro-tourism policies position the destination as an exceptionally accessible and welcoming option.
“Our goal is to flatten seasonality of Cayman tourism and to continue working with our media, airline and trade partners to ensure that we build on the momentum of Q1’s visitation performance,” Harris said.