SVG posts 13.2% rise in August visitor arrivals 

By Admin. Updated 3:26 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

St. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded a strong increase in visitor arrivals in August, with official figures showing continued growth in the country’s stay-over and yacht tourism sectors despite the absence of cruise ship calls during the month.

According to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), the country welcomed 11,862 visitors in August 2026, representing a 13.2 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

The performance was driven by continued growth in stay-over visitors, who totalled 9,712 for the month—an increase of 11.5 per cent, or 998 additional visitors, over August 2025.

Air arrivals, which include both stay-over and same-day visitors, rose by 11.7 per cent to 9,747, while yacht arrivals climbed 20.3 per cent to 2,115. No cruise ships visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines during August, a factor the Authority said influenced the overall visitor mix for the month.

The August figures continue a positive trend for the tourism sector this year.

Between January and August, the country received 86,647 stay-over visitors, up 8.4 per cent from the corresponding period in 2025. Air arrivals also increased by 8.4 per cent to 86,964, while yacht arrivals rose 3.4 per cent.

Overall visitor arrivals for the first eight months of the year stood at 276,088, compared with 276,797 during the same period last year—a slight decline of 0.3 per cent.

The Tourism Authority said that marginal difference was largely due to changes in cruise ship scheduling rather than weaker demand for the destination. Cruise passengers account for about 57 per cent of total year-to-date visitor arrivals, meaning fluctuations in cruise calls have a significant impact on the overall figures.

The Authority noted that confirmed cruise bookings for the upcoming season provide confidence that total arrivals will return to growth by the end of the cruise season.

The United States remained St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ largest tourism market in August, accounting for approximately half of all stay-over visitors. Arrivals from the US increased 12.3 per cent compared with August last year.

The United Kingdom recorded particularly strong monthly growth of 23.1 per cent, while arrivals from Canada remained relatively stable, slipping by just 1.0 per cent.

For the year to date, arrivals from the United States have grown by 16.8 per cent. Canada recorded growth of 8.0 per cent, while Barbados increased 14.9 per cent. The Tourism Authority also reported gains from several European markets, including Norway, Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany.

Although arrivals from the United Kingdom strengthened in August, the market remains 2.7 per cent below last year’s level for the January-to-August period. The SVGTA said it will continue targeted efforts to reverse that decline.

The Authority believes the continued rise in stay-over and yacht arrivals presents opportunities for businesses across the tourism industry, including accommodation providers, transport operators, tour companies and attractions, to increase bookings and visitor spending.

It is encouraging tourism stakeholders to work together to create experiences that showcase the country’s marine assets, natural environment and Vincentian culture.

Looking ahead, the SVGTA said it remains focused on improving air connectivity, expanding its presence in key overseas markets and strengthening the country’s competitiveness as a destination.

Those efforts will continue to centre on three strategic tourism themes—Marine Paradise, Nature and Adventure, and Culture and Celebration—with the aim of creating wider economic opportunities for communities and businesses throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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