By Aaron Humes: The tertiary sector was the largest contributor to economic growth for the period. Production within this sector totaled $871.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, up 4.7 percent or $38.9 million from $833.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The primary driver of growth in tertiary sector production was financial and insurance activities which expanded by 18.0 percent, from $107.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $126.9 million in the same period of 2025. This was mainly due to an increase in the volume of loans and deposits along with a rise in revenues from insurance policies during the quarter.
Wholesale and retail trade also grew by 3.8 percent, reflected in a 7.8 percent increase in sales tax revenues collected. Output by producers of government services rose by 3.7 percent, from $91.1 million to $94.5 million, due to an increase in government employment and higher public expenditures for the quarter.
The accommodation and food services industry grew by 3.6 percent, attributable to an increase in tourist arrivals. The number of overnight visitors to the country rose by 2.3 percent, from 127.8 thousand visitors in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 130.8 thousand visitors in the fourth quarter of 2025, while cruise passenger arrivals increased by 13.9 percent, from 264.7 thousand visitors to 301.5 thousand visitors.
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