Turks and Caicos reports record tourism growth for 2024

Turks and Caicos Islands. Photo: Pixabay/kelly8843496

Tourism in Turks and Caicos has gotten off to a record-breaking start this year.

Both cruise and air arrivals to the Caribbean archipelago destination have experienced significant growth between January and May of 2024.

Air arrivals, in particular, are up 10.85 percent over the same period last year with the majority of those arrivals being travelers from the United States. March was the busiest month of all, with a record-breaking 77,559 air arrivals, which amounted to a 15.57 percent increase over the same month last year.

Cruise arrivals in Turks and Caicos are also breaking records with 29 calls to port in April 2024. That figure is the highest number of the year so far, followed by 26 calls in May, which is a 73.74 percent increase in cruise passengers compared to May 2023.

Arrivals to the islands are also expected to remain strong for the coming months, reaching a 24 percent year-over-year increase through August, according to data from the 2024 Amadeus Destination Insights Report, which tracks travel searches and future bookings.

Occupancy rates are also surging in Turks and Caicos and are now the highest in the Caribbean region at 87 percent. This is compared to Saint Lucia’s 85.5 percent occupancy rate and Aruba’s 84.3 percent occupancy levels.

In conjunction with the visitation spike, several luxe resorts and residential developments are preparing to open between 2024 and 2026, according to Experience Turks and Caicos, the tourism authority for the destination. The openings on tap for the destination include:

South Bank: Grace Bay Resorts’ newest luxury residential resort and marina, South Bank is slated to open in November 2024.
The Strand: Luxury and sustainable beachfront villas and custom residences, The Strand is expected to open in fall 2024.
Salterra Resort & Spa: This 100-room resort on South Caicos is scheduled to be opened in February 2025 by The Luxury Collection.
The Andaz Turks & Caicos: The first Hyatt property on the island, The Andaz Turks & Caicos will be a 59-key resort and 74 residences. A late 2025 opening is planned.
The Loren at Turtle Cove: Further out on the openings timeline,the The Loren will offer luxury residences including six private beachfront villas, 25 condominium
- units and 33-guest suites. The property is scheduled to open in 2026.
- The Point: Yet another new Grace Bay Resorts residential offering, The Point will feature 56 homes. A late 2026 opening is planned.
- Kempinski Grace Bay: This upcoming property will feature new luxury beachfront residences and a resort. A specific opening date has yet to be announced.
“We are thrilled to share that tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands is at an all-time high,” Hon. Josephine Connolly, minister of tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, said in a statement. “We’re proud to build on such a successful start to the year as we gear up to welcome several new luxury resorts and properties in the second half of 2024 and beyond.”