MASSIVE SURGE IN CRUISE, STOPOVER VISITORS SINCE START OF 2025

The Cruise Ship Arrival Chart shows significant increase in every month of the first quarter of 2025. (Source - Experience Turks and Caicos)

The Turks and Caicos Islands have kicked off 2025 with a significant boost in tourism, welcoming more than 600,000 visitors during the first quarter of the year.

This strong start highlights the destination’s continued appeal and the effectiveness of its tourism strategies despite global economic uncertainties.

According to data released by Experience Turks and Caicos, the Islands recorded 192,297 stayover visitors between January and March, representing a 2.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The month of March saw the highest number of air arrivals, underscoring the continued demand for premium travel experiences in the multi-island destination.

The Stopover Visitors' Chart for the first quarter of 2025 shows progressive growth over the period. (Source - Experience Turks and Caicos)

Cruise tourism also experienced remarkable growth. The Grand Turk Cruise Centre welcomed 410,107 cruise passengers in Q1 2025, a 54% increase year over year. This substantial rise is largely attributed to the higher frequency of cruise ship visits, with two ships docking daily throughout the quarter.

Commenting on the positive trends, Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO and Consultant at Experience Turks and Caicos, noted that while the momentum in early 2025 is promising, the outlook for the coming months remains cautiously optimistic.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands continue to be a favourite among travellers, as demonstrated by our strong first-quarter performance,” said Pennicook. “While we are closely monitoring signs of a softening in air arrivals due to economic challenges in our leading U.S. market, we are proactively working to diversify our tourism base. This includes increasing our presence in underserved regions of the United States and enhancing our marketing efforts in Canada, Latin America, and the United Kingdom.”

Accommodation performance across the islands reflected steady demand, with hotels reporting an average occupancy rate of 71% and an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of $1,544—a testament to the destination’s continued ability to attract high-value travellers.

Experience Turks and Caicos remains committed to sustaining this momentum through targeted marketing, product development, and strategic partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier travel destination in the Caribbean.

As the global travel landscape evolves, the destination’s early 2025 performance signals resilience and continued relevance in the competitive tourism market.