Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (28 August 2026) – The Cayman Islands welcomed 45,053 stayover visitors in July 2026, an increase of 10% when compared with July 2025.
July extended the destination’s positive 2026 growth trajectory marking the ninth consecutive month of growth, with stayover arrivals between January and July reaching a record 333,747; an increase of 11% when compared to the same period in 2025. Stayover visitation in July was driven by double-digit growth from the United States and Continental Europe.
Combined visitation from stayover visitors and cruise passengers between January and July 2026 reached 1,058,781 an increase of 6.2% year over year, continuing the trend of growth across all segments of visitor category.
Cruise Declines in July but Remains Ahead Year to Date
The destination welcomed 43,380 cruise passengers in July 2026, a 23% decline over the same period in 2025, reflecting a smaller number of cruise calls year-over-year. However, the number of cruise passengers arriving to the destination between January and July 2026 reflected a 4% increase when compared to the same period in 2025, showing cruise demand.
“When our visitor numbers grow our economy thrives,” said the Hon. Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development.
“This ninth consecutive month of increased stayover visitation and steady cruise numbers drives the advancement of businesses in this dynamic industry and sustains gainful employment opportunities for our nation’s people. “
United States Drives July Growth
The United States market generated the largest absolute increase of visitors with 37,910 visitors, an increase of 12% over July 2025.
Among identifiable US records, the strongest growth came from Austin, Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Houston.
European Market Shows Strong Increase
Visitation from Europe was up 12.7% in July, supported by a 26.7% increase in visitors from Continental Europe and an 8.2% increase in visitors from the UK & Ireland – a testament to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism’s (CIDOT) continued investment in travel trade and public relations across the region.
Canada Visitation Remains Strong Year-to-Date Despite July Decline
Canadian arrivals declined by 15.9% in July. Nonstop service operated across three days of the week down from the four days of operation in 2025, reducing schedule flexibility.
Despite the July decline, Canadian visitation between January and July grew by 43.3% year-over-year reflecting sustained demand for the destination by Canadian travellers past the traditional winter peak season.
United States Leads Seat Capacity Growth
July’s stayover visitation gains were supported by additional inbound airline capacity from the United States which went up 3,147 seats, or 5.9%, when compared to July 2025, for a total of 56,541 seats. Growth was led by Miami, Atlanta, and Cayman Airways’ new Austin service.
Sustained Visitation Momentum Propels Accommodations Sector
July’s visitation resulted in strong commercial results for the destination’s accommodations sector.
According to global hotel intelligence firm, STR Inc., hotel occupancy reached 66.7% in July 2026, an increase of 9.4 percentage points compared with July 2025. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) rose 7.6% and the Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 25.2%.
Year-to-date through July, occupancy rose by 6.8 percentage points compared to the previous year while ADR increased by 5.9% and RevPAR rose by 16.9% year-over-year.
Hotel room revenue between January and July increased by 18.3% when compared to the same period in 2025. July marked the seventh consecutive month of double-digit room revenue increases. This shows direct correlation between the increase in visitation and revenue translating to stronger earnings for tourism businesses which benefits the wider Cayman Islands economy.
“Sustained visitation increases throughout the first two months of summer is a testament to the success of our tourism strategy and the strong collaboration between the Department of Tourism and our industry partners to promote the destination.” said Rosa Harris, the Director of Tourism.
“As we reach the peak of summer and transition to fall, the Department of Tourism remains steadfast in enacting our strategy of sustaining and growing airlift, deepening relationships with the travel trade, diversifying our source markets and retaining a strong presence in key markets. We look forward to steadied visitation momentum across all our source markets throughout the remainder of 2026.”
To learn more about how tourism drives economic growth across the Cayman Islands, the public is encouraged to follow the Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism Matters series.
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The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) supports the overall strategic objectives of the destination by providing reliable statistical data, useful information and analysis for future planning, decision making, and policy formulation. CIDOT provides online statistical data in an easy-to-use format for persons requiring tourism related figures.
To view visitation statistics please visit: www.ourcayman.ky