Barbados recorded its highest ever number of long-stay arrivals last year with an increase of 13.7% to 591,892.
The UK remained the island’s largest market, with a 37% share and rose 14.1% in 2015.
Growth in the US market increased even more, up by 25%, boosted by a new JetBlue service from Boston and additional flights by Delta Air Lines.
Minister of tourism Richard Sealy said the new all-inclusive Sandals Barbados and a new Sugar Bay all-inclusive resort added 380 extra rooms to the island’s inventory during the year and contributed ‘in a great way’ to the increase in new long stay arrivals.
The Sandals property will add 220 more rooms in 2016, while a new Beaches resort will be constructed on the site of the Almond Beach Resort later this year.
The island also posted a 5% increase in cruise ship arrivals during 2015.
