The Turks and Caicos Islands Attract Close to 2 million Arrivals in 2024
PRESS RELEASE
PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (January 22nd, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands attracted close to two million arrivals in 2024.
The multi-island destination saw 1,959,563 arrivals across air and cruise from January to December 2024.
There were 734,308 air arrivals, a 10.66 percent Year on Year increase over 2023 while cruise 1,225,255 passengers, a whopping 30.48 percent Year on Year increase over the previous year.
The top months for air arrivals were March (77,559), June (72,583) and July (71, 958) while cruise, which started off slowly in 2024, rebounded strongly, peaking in July with 136, 990 passengers, followed by August (108, 454) and October (110, 329). There were 311 cruise ships calling to the Grand Turk Cruise Centre in 2024, a 19.16 percent increase from 2023.
“I am elated at the continued upward trajectory of our tourism sector,” said Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Josephine Connolly. “Through the efforts of Experience Turks and Caicos and our hotel partners, our “Beautiful by Nature” island has become one of the top trending destinations in the Caribbean. I am optimistic that as we enter the 2025 season that we will perform even better and I am looking forward to the many exciting initiatives planned to boost our tourism industry and ensure that all of our citizens benefit from it.”
Below is a recap of the trends and activities that contributed to the Turks and Caicos Islands’ stellar performance in 2024.
Enhanced Relationships with Travel Advisors
Experience Turks and Caicos engaged in training and education sessions with travel advisors virtually and in person. In February, Experience Turks and Caicos welcomed nine Virtuoso agents from the Twil Travel Agency in Canada, in June, we hosted 11 Virtuoso travel advisors from the US and Canada and in December, we hosted 41 Travel advisors from the UK who were participants of the Aspire annual retreat. Experience Turks and Caicos also hosted a roadshow in July in Twyford, Cotswold and Birmingham in the UK and attended the Virtuoso Travel Show in Las Vegas where over 100 luxury travel advisors were thoroughly trained on the unparalleled beauty and diverse offerings of Turks and Caicos Islands. Through our participation in Virtuoso webinars, Experience Turks and Caicos was featured in the Top 10 Highest-Rated Virtuoso Trainings and recognised as a top training partner in Q2 2024.
New properties and expanding Room Count
The 92-room South Bank by Grace Bay Resorts opened on November 1st, while The Strand opened on November 23rd. The Palms reopened in December following an $18 million renovation which includes the opening of a new Mexican-fusion restaurant called Si Si, and a reimagined pool deck with an oceanfront infinity pool while The Alexandra Resort also reopened with updates that include 41 Oceanfront and Garden Suites and Studios. Four resorts in the Turks and Caicos Islands – Amanyara, Wymara Resorts and Villas, Como Parrot Cay, and Seven Stars Resort and Spa – also received prestigious accolades in the 2024 Forbes Star Awards, elevating them to esteemed four-star status.
Enhanced Media Coverage
Experience Turks and Caicos’ relationship with the travel trade and travel media remained strong in 2024 as we facilitated and hosted familiarization visits with journalists from the US, UK and Canada and pitched stories around our new property developments, multi-island branding and other activities resulting in over 90 placements in various travel publications.
