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. Tourism numbers are higher than ever since the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, confirming the territory’s position as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean.
According to the Central Statistics Office, the total number of visitors increased to 1,092,139 in 2024, an increase of 9.8% compared to 994,896 in 2023. The growth was reflected in all visitor categories, with cruise visitors increasing by 6.8% to 768,293 visitors in 2024, compared to 719,519 in 2023; overnight visitors increasing by 16.7% to 305,876 in 2024, compared to 262,080 in 2023; and day trippers increasing by 35.1% to 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 ahead, we are committed 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 development was bolstered by sustained growth in the first half of 2024 as total tourist arrivals for the first six months totaled 682,773, an increase of 17.2% compared to 582,467 in 2023. Highlights from the first quarter included an increase in arrivals of 30.3%, driven by an increase in cruise passengers of 31.6%, an increase in overnight visitors of 25.2%, and an increase in same-day visitors of 34.8%.
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 landmark year for the BVI with many new developments and revivals. Peter Island Resort reopened in December 2024 after a complete restoration, the famous Bitter End Yacht Club will debut four luxurious Beach Bungalows and eight more Marina lofts, with an 18-room boutique hotel and Biras Creek Resort has been transformed into Biras Marina & Resort. Plus, getting to your destination is now easier than ever with the first-ever nonstop flights from Miami to Tortola daily with American Airlines.
The Virgin Islands government is committed to promoting sustainable tourism and improving infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Efforts to preserve the islands' natural beauty and cultural heritage are top priorities as the Virgin Islands continue to position themselves as a leader in the global tourism landscape.
According to the press release.
