St. Vincent and the Grenadines has emerged as one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing travel destinations, reporting a record-breaking 25.6% increase in stayover arrivals in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The milestone, which also represents a 39% increase over 2019 figures, was announced by the Minister of Tourism, Honourable Carlos James, on January 15.
For the first time in the country’s history, stayover arrivals surpassed 100,000, with 101,471 visitors recorded by December 2024. This marks a significant achievement for the multi-island state, which has experienced the highest average growth in stayover arrivals across the Caribbean.
Minister James attributed the remarkable performance to several key factors, including enhanced airlift with the addition of four new carriers in the final quarter of 2024, growth in the yachting and cruise sectors, and an increase in hotel developments. Notable accommodations such as the Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines Resort, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, La Vue Hotel, and Mayah’s Suite contributed to the country’s expanded tourism offerings.
New air carriers—Sunrise, LIAT2020, WINAIR, and JetBlue Airways—boosted accessibility to the destination, with JetBlue significantly increasing capacity from New York’s JFK International Airport.
“This rapid growth within our tourism sector illustrates the collective work of the ministry, tourism authority, air and seaports, accommodations providers, and our wider partners to deliver an unmatched Caribbean experience for our visitors,” Minister James said.
Sustained tourism growth expected in 2025
The tourism industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has averaged an estimated 30.8% growth in total arrivals over the past decade, well above the region’s typical annual growth range of 7–9%. Minister James noted that the destination’s tourism development is still in its early stages, suggesting that strong growth will likely continue in the medium to long term.
For 2025, plans are underway to build on this momentum, with new projects including the groundbreaking of a 250-room Marriott Hotel.
In addition to its record-setting visitor numbers, St. Vincent and the Grenadines earned notable accolades in 2024. The destination was named “Best Nature Destination” at the World Travel Awards, and Bequia was highlighted on CNN Travel’s “Best Places to Travel in 2025” list.
Reflecting on the achievements, Minister James expressed optimism for the year ahead: “I am especially pleased with all of the work that’s being done and the opportunity to witness the results of our efforts. I look forward to the destination meeting its new targets and continuing to offer travelers a premier choice for their Caribbean holidays.”
As St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to expand its tourism infrastructure and enhance its offerings, the island nation is solidifying its place as a must-visit destination in the Caribbean.
