Cayman Islands Breaks Tourism Records Fuelled by Canadian Visitors
by Marsha Mowers
Photo: Shutterstock.com
An “extraordinary surge” in Canadian travel to the Cayman Islands helped shatter tourism records in March 2026, surpassing 60,000 stayover visitors for the first time in its history.
The Cayman Islands welcomed 64,213 visitors last month, with Canada delivering a 49% YOY increase with 6,711 visitors to set a new monthly record. The surge was driven by expanded flight capacity from Air Canada and WestJet, alongside new Porter Airlines service from Toronto and Ottawa.
Canada’s surge helped carry the Cayman Islands to its best winter ever, with 215,165 stayover visitors across the traditional four-month period – anchored by a record December (54,830), record January (47,047), and the second-strongest February on record (49,075).
“This record-breaking winter season underscores the strength of the Cayman Islands’ tourism strategy and the resilience of our destination,” remarked Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism. “Exceptional growth from Canada and sustained increases in airlift demonstrate the confidence travellers continue to place in the Cayman Islands. These results deliver real economic benefits for our people.”
“Canada is of our most important visitor markets,” said Raymond Mathias, Canada Business Development Manager, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. “Canadians are discerning and the growth we’re seeing is a direct reflection of what Cayman offers: ease of access and a level of sophistication that meets their expectations. That’s why this market continues to thrive, and why we remain fully committed to nurturing it.”
Canada has emerged as the Cayman Islands’ most dynamic growth market and a cornerstone of its record-breaking winter season.
Total visitation for March, including stayover visitors and cruise passengers, reached 221,731, a 12.6% increase year-over-year.
