BVI records uptick in overnight arrivals

Data from the Central Statistics Office indicate that the British Virgin Islands recorded an increase in overnight visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, covering the months of January through March.

According to the BVI Tourist Board, the territory welcomed a total of 106,750 overnight visitors during the period — a 6.4 percent increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024.

“In March alone, the territory welcomed 40,569 overnight guests, marking the first time since 2017 that monthly overnight arrivals have surpassed the 40,000 mark,” a release from the Tourist Board stated.

Director of Tourism Clive McCoy attributed the strong performance to the combined efforts of the Tourist Board’s team and stakeholders in the wider tourism sector. He pointed to strategic promotions, enhanced infrastructure, and a renewed focus on guest experience as key contributors to the increase.

Day-tripper arrivals surge

In addition to growth in overnight stays, day-tripper arrivals rose significantly — up 60 percent, reaching 5,799 visitors during the quarter.

The Tourist Board said this reflects the growing appeal of the BVI as a preferred Caribbean destination for both short-term and extended vacations.

“The BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) is pleased with the growth in overnight arrivals, continuing the upward momentum we experienced in 2024, when we welcomed over one million total visitors for the first time since 2016,” McCoy said.

“Overnight stays are a key indicator of the health of our tourism industry, benefiting both land-based and marine accommodations and driving economic activity across the territory.”

Cruise arrivals decline slightly

Amid public discussions surrounding a drop in cruise visitor numbers, the Tourist Board confirmed that cruise arrivals dipped by 2.5 percent during the first quarter of the year.

Despite the decline, the overall impact on total arrivals was minimal, with only a 0.25 percent decrease when compared to the first quarter of 2024.

“The first quarter performance underscores the BVI’s continued recovery and rising appeal among international travellers, setting a positive tone for the rest of 2025,” the Board’s statement added.