The British Virgin Islands (BVI) tourism sector has recorded unprecedented growth in the first half of 2024, setting a new benchmark for visitor arrivals.
This is according to Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley who made the announcement during a recent session of the House of Assembly.
According to data from the Central Statistics Office, tourist arrivals surged by an impressive 17.2% compared to the same period in 2023, with a total of 682,773 visitors, up from 582,674 last year. This remarkable performance is driven by substantial increases across all categories of tourists.
Cruise ship passengers rose by 16.2%, overnight visitors by 19.3%, and day trippers saw an extraordinary 37.2% increase. The first quarter alone witnessed a 30.3% rise in total tourist arrivals, reaching 497,556 compared to 381,866 in 2023, fueled by a 31.6% increase in cruise ship passengers, a 25.2% rise in overnight visitors, and a significant 34.8% jump in day trippers.
Premier Wheatley highlighted the evolving dynamics of the tourism sector, noting a shift towards a more balanced distribution among visitor types. Traditionally dominated by cruise ship passengers, the 2024 data reflects a resilient 13.0% increase in overnight visitors and a robust 39.4% rise in day trippers, indicating a more diverse and balanced tourist composition.
“We are delighted to see such a historic performance in our tourism sector during the first half of 2024. These figures underscore the Virgin Islands’ enduring appeal and highlight our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for visitors from around the globe,” Premier Wheatley remarked.
Dr. Wheatley emphasized the significance of these results in the context of a dynamic global tourism landscape.
“As we continue to navigate through this ever-changing environment, these results highlight the Virgin Islands’ growing appeal and ability to attract diverse segments of travellers. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more visitors to our beautiful islands,” he added.