Kingstown, St. Vincent — St. Vincent and the Grenadines has emerged as a standout destination in the Caribbean, achieving a remarkable 25% year-over-year increase in stayover arrivals for 2024.

The announcement was made on Jan. 15 by Honourable Carlos James, Minister of Tourism. Minister James confirmed that the destination surpassed its tourism growth targets, with a 25.6% rise in stayover visitors compared to 2023 and a 39% increase over 2019, a peak year before the global pandemic.

Stayover arrivals reached a historic high, with 101,471 visitors recorded as of December 2024. This achievement marks the first time the multi-island state has surpassed 100,000 stayover tourists. St. Vincent and the Grenadines also led its regional peers with the highest average growth rate in stayover arrivals.

According to Minister James, the country’s tourism industry experienced an average growth rate of 30.8% in total arrivals over the last decade, far exceeding the long-term average of 7% to 9% per year. He noted that this exceptional performance, fuelled by the nation’s early-stage tourism development, is expected to sustain robust growth in the medium to long term.

The tourism minister credited several factors for the strong performance, including a significant boost in airlift capacity. Four new airline carriers – Sunrise, LIAT2020, WINAIR and JetBlue Airways – launched routes to the destination in the fourth quarter of 2024. Additionally, investments in the yachting and cruise sectors, along with new hotel developments, have strengthened the tourism landscape. Notable properties contributing to growth include Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines Resort, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, La Vue Hotel, and Mayah’s Suite.

Looking forward to 2025, St. Vincent and the Grenadines aims to maintain its growth trajectory. Plans are underway to expand room capacity, including the groundbreaking of a new Marriott Hotel, which will add 250 rooms to the island’s accommodation offerings.

“This rapid growth within our tourism sector demonstrates the collective efforts of the ministry, tourism authority, air and seaport operators, accommodation providers, and our broader industry partners,” said Minister James. “We are committed to delivering an unparalleled Caribbean experience for our visitors.”

For more information about travel to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, visit discoversvg.com.