Anguilla records nearly 82,000 stayover visitors in record first half of 2026
Key Points(5)
- Anguilla welcomed a record 81,907 stayover visitors during the first half of 2026, as the Caribbean island continued a strong tourism run that saw arrivals reach new highs in each of the first six months of the year.
- Data from the Anguilla Statistics Department show stayover arrivals increased 19.9% from 68,287 between January and June 2025, representing an additional 13,620 visitors.
- The growth built on Anguilla’s strongest first quarter on record, when the island received 46,691 stayover visitors, a 24.6% increase from the same period last year.
- Another 35,216 visitors arrived during the second quarter, up 14.3% year over year.
- June also set a monthly record, with 11,067 stayover visitors, a 13% increase from June 2025.
Anguilla welcomed a record 81,907 stayover visitors during the first half of 2026, as the Caribbean island continued a strong tourism run that saw arrivals reach new highs in each of the first six months of the year.
Data from the Anguilla Statistics Department show stayover arrivals increased 19.9% from 68,287 between January and June 2025, representing an additional 13,620 visitors.
The growth built on Anguilla’s strongest first quarter on record, when the island received 46,691 stayover visitors, a 24.6% increase from the same period last year. Another 35,216 visitors arrived during the second quarter, up 14.3% year over year.
June also set a monthly record, with 11,067 stayover visitors, a 13% increase from June 2025.
The United States remained by far Anguilla’s largest source market, sending 60,415 visitors during the first six months of the year. Americans accounted for 73.8% of all stayover arrivals during the period.
That share was even higher in June, when 8,746 U.S. visitors represented 79% of the island’s stayover arrivals.
Anguilla also recorded a sharp increase in excursionists, or day-trippers. Some 15,771 excursionists visited in June, up 71.5% from 9,194 in June 2025.
When stayover visitors and excursionists are combined, Anguilla received 171,143 visitors during the first half of 2026, a 34.9% increase from 126,841 during the same period last year.
Tourism Minister Cardigan Connor said the figures showed that the momentum established during the first quarter continued into the middle of the year.
“Stayover growth is especially important because its benefits reach accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, retailers and stakeholders across our communities,” Connor said.
He credited the Anguilla Tourist Board, led by Director of Tourism Jameel Rochester, along with tourism workers and industry partners, for helping sustain the growth.
The record arrivals come as Anguilla continues to strengthen its standing in the luxury travel market.
At Virtuoso Travel Week 2026 in Las Vegas, Anguilla ranked No. 1 among Caribbean destinations and No. 3 among countries worldwide for festive travel, which Virtuoso defines as travel between Dec. 15 and Jan. 7.
Anguilla’s West End also ranked No. 8 among individual festive destinations worldwide.
Connor, who represents West End, said the recognition reflected the island’s accommodations, cuisine, beaches and service while reinforcing the importance of responsible tourism growth.
“This recognition is also a win for the entire island,” he said. “It strengthens our commitment to growing tourism responsibly while protecting the character, hospitality and sense of place that set Anguilla apart.”
