Barbados Reports Growth in Stay-Over Arrivals with U.S. Leading Source

Barbados has recorded 5.43% growth in stay-over arrivals between January and August 2025, reaching about 503,000 visitors. The increase reflects ongoing recovery and growing demand for the island’s offerings.

According to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), for the first time in recent years, the United States overtook the United Kingdom as the island’s top source market. Around 179,753 U.S. visitors arrived in that period.

The shift underscores changing travel patterns: Barbados is increasingly viewed as an accessible, compelling Caribbean destination for Americans looking for both leisure and cultural experience.

BTMI leadership emphasized that the growth was not just about numbers but about diversification: targeting markets beyond traditional ones, enhancing visitor offers, and promoting off-peak travel.

Local stakeholders—hotels, tour operators, retailers—are hopeful that this trend will bring sustained increases in occupancy, visitor spending, and length of stay, while reducing reliance on one or two key feeder markets.

The growth in U.S. arrivals also challenges Barbados to maintain high quality, infrastructure readiness, and authentic experience delivery, to retain competitive advantage as demand rises.