Turks & Caicos Islands Records Robust Growth in 2018

#Providenciales, November 5, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks and Caicos Islands not only maintained its market share in 2018 but also experienced 18% increase in overall visitor arrivals.

The Turks and Caicos Islands 2018 figures indicate that the destination welcomed and hosted some 1.4M tourists to its shores. Whereas cruise arrivals accounted for the majority of the visitor population, and showed an increase of 23% which is the highest number of cruise passengers to date; with ships carrying an average capacity of 95%. Land-based arrivals has seen a growth of 6% this year. Despite natural disasters Irma and Maria in 2017 the Turks and Caicos Islands has proven itself to be a resilient destination in which tourism continues to thrive.

The American market maintained its dominant share of total arrivals accounting for 82% of the destination’s land based arrivals. Increases in the Canadian, European and South American Markets were also achieved in 2018.

The report also highlighted the growth of the vacation rental market. Vacation rentals (for example Air B&B and HomeAway) listings increased by 18% when compared with 2017. The listings are composed of entire homes, private rooms and shared room rental types.

Acting Director of Tourism Mary Lightbourne commented, “The destination continues to experience impressive growth in both land based and cruise arrivals. The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board will continue to work strategically to market and position the destination as the premier luxury destination in the Caribbean”.

The Tourist Board attributed this growth to its use of non-traditional mass media marketing strategies in addition to strategic industry partnerships.

The full 2018 Tourism Statistics Report can be accessed by visiting the following link: http://turksandcaicostourism.com/visitor-statistics/.

Release: TCI Tourist Board