Anguilla’s tourism sector continued its upward trend in March, with visitor arrivals 47.3% higher than the same period last year.
This follows record-breaking performances in January and February, together marking the highest first-quarter total since records began in 1993.
The Anguilla Statistics Department recorded 29,325 arrivals in January and 27,365 in February.
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In the latest published data, statisticians revealed that the island welcomed 33,327 arrivals in March – an increase of more than 10,000 compared to the 2025 total of 22,625.
Of those, 26,546 arrived by sea while 6,781 came by air. Overall arrivals – which included both visitors and returning residents – reached 41,122.
The figures come on the back of a record 2025 for visitor arrivals, which totalled 229,734 through the island’s air and sea ports.
Stay-over vs day trippers
An increase in both stay-over visitors and day trippers accounted for the overall rise in March.
Tourists who stayed over for at least one night in Anguilla in March totalled 16,693 – an increase of 30.7% from 12,772 in 2025.
Stay-over visitors represented the largest share of visitor arrivals in March by a small margin at 50.1%. The overall length of stay from 2025 to 2026 decreased from an average of 6.4 to 5.9 days.
Meanwhile, the highest number of stay over visitors in March – 12,677 or 75.9% – came from the United States, and increase of 27.9% compared to 2025.
The remaining visitors came from the ‘Other European’ (not UK, Italy or Germany) and Canadian source markets at 1,247 or 7.5% and 962 or 5.8%.
Meanwhile, day trip visitors to Anguilla totalled 16,634 in March – an increase of 68.8% over 2025 when 9,853 visitors were recorded.
Most day trippers came from the USA at 10,839 or 65.2%, with 1,821 or 10.9% and 1,532 or 9.2% from the ‘Other European’ (not UK, Italy or Germany) and Canadian source markets.
Visitor focused approach
Tourism director Jameel Rochester welcomed the figures, telling Anguilla Focus they reflected growing confidence in Anguilla as a destination.
“Anguilla’s continued record-breaking performance is a testament to the strength of the tourism product, the dedication of its people, and the collaborative efforts of industry partners,” he said.
“March’s remarkable 47.3% increase in visitor arrivals, together with our strongest first quarter in the island’s tourism history reflects growing confidence in the Anguilla experience and the effectiveness of our destination marketing, enhanced connectivity and visitor-focused approach.
“While we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to building sustainable tourism growth that continues to benefit our people, strengthen our product and create meaningful experiences for every visitor to our island.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated on 25 May to include additional comments from tourism director Jameel Rochester.
