Visitor arrivals reached over one million for second time the Territory’s history
Tortola, British Virgin Islands, 22nd January 2025 – The British Virgin Islands (BVI) reached an extraordinary milestone in 2024, welcoming over one million visitors to the archipelago for the first time since 2016. The tourism numbers are at an all-time high since the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 reaffirming the Territory’s position as a premier destination in the Caribbean.
According to the Central Statistics Office, total visitor arrivals surged to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8% increase compared to 994,896 in 2023. Growth was reflected in all visitor categories with cruise ship visitors seeing a 6.8% increase with 768,293 visitors in 2024, compared to 719,519 in 2023; overnight visitors seeing a 16.7% increase with 305,876 in 2024, compared to 262,080 in 2023; and day trippers seeing a 35.1% increase with 17,970 in 2024 compared to 13,297 in 2023.
“These impressive results highlight the diversity of our tourism offerings and reflect our commitment to creating exceptional experiences for all types of visitors,” said Dr. Natalio Wheatly, Premier of the Virgin Islands. “It is a testament to our enduring appeal, the resilience of our tourism sector, and the hard work of everyone who contributes to making these islands a world-class destination. As we look to the future, we are dedicated to building on this momentum and ensuring that our growth benefits both our visitors and the people of the Virgin Islands."
The Virgin Islands’ tourism performance was bolstered by sustained growth in the first half of 2024 as total tourist arrivals for the first six months reached 682,773, a 17.2% increase compared to 582,467 in 2023. Highlights from the first quarter include a 30.3% increase in arrivals, driven by a 31.6% rise in cruise passengers, a 25.2% increase in overnight visitors, and a 34.8% surge in day trippers.
After a remarkable seven-year journey of recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and 2017 and the global pandemic, 2025 is poised to be a marquee year for the BVI with numerous new developments and revitalizations. Peter Island Resort reopened in December 2024 after a full restoration, the famous Bitter End Yacht Club will debut four luxury Beach Bungalows and eight additional Marina lofts, with an 18-room boutique hotel and Biras Creek Resort has been reimagined as Biras Marina & Resort. In addition, it is now easier to get to the destination than ever before with the first-ever nonstop flights from Miami to Tortola daily, on American Airlines.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to fostering sustainable tourism practices and enhancing infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Efforts to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the islands remain a top priority as the Virgin Islands continues to position itself as a leader in the global tourism landscape.
Tags: Dr. Natalio Wheatly, The Virgin Islands, Tourism
