Most visitors to Barbados are spending no more than a week.
The majority of them are arriving from the United States (US) as most tourists from the United Kingdom (UK) spend up to two weeks on island.
That is the indication from data published by the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) for the period ended September 30.
The BSS Visitor Arrivals Statistical Bulletin for September stated that there were 537 897 stay-over arrivals
in the first nine months of the year, the majority staying here for four to seven days.
“Most of the persons who travelled to the island, visited for a maximum of four to seven days, 232 080, followed by those who preferred a two-week stay (153 744). The average number of days spent in Barbados among stay-over visitor arrivals was approximately 11.78 days over the review period,”
the BSS said.
This followed a similar pattern of January to September last year, when 208 279 of the 509 673 people who visited in that time visited for a maximum of four to seven days. The minority – 145 368 – were on island for eight to 14 days, the state agency reported.
Based on the BSS information, of the 191 024 people who arrived from the US between January and September, 121 171 were here for four to seven days.
On the other hand, 81 861 of the 160 749 UK visitors who journeyed here stayed for eight to 14 days.
Closer to home, the majority of people from CARICOM are either visiting Barbados for four to seven days or two to three days.
Of the 76 068 people from CARICOM visiting Barbados between January and September, most of them, 27 036, were in the four to seven days category followed by the 17 768 people from CARICOM who were in Barbados for two to three days. The third highest amount from CARICOM were the 11 461 people visiting for eight to 14 days.
The BSS bulletin also reported on the reasons why people visited Barbados in the first nine months of the year. Most of them, 409 821, were on island for recreational purposes.
“Business/conference visits numbered 41 227; 12 739 persons visited either to honeymoon or get married. Study visits totalled 6 488, We Gatherin’ visits were noted at 2 806,” the publication detailed.
Central Bank of Barbados analysis, as published in the January to September economic review shared recently by Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge, shared that tourist accommodation and visitor spending strengthened alongside the rise in arrivals.
“Increased airlift, marketing campaigns and cultural events boosted tourist arrivals. During January to September 2025, long-stay arrivals rose 5.5 per cent to 537 897,” Greenidge reported.
“The United States led growth, supplying approximately 36 per cent of visitors and increasing 12 per cent as airlines added flights from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
“Europe increased 15.5 per cent with demand supported by ongoing marketing, and CARICOM markets grew 8.2 per cent on added service by Caribbean Airlines and InterCaribbean Airways.
“Arrivals from the United Kingdom and Canada fell 2.6 per cent and 1.1 per cent, respectively, because carriers reduced seating capacity. Major cultural events, including Crop Over and CARIFESTA reinforced summer demand,” the Governor stated.
He noted that “heightened demand lifted average hotel occupancy 2.2 percentage points during the first nine months of 2025”.
“Average revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 16.4 per cent as stronger bookings and higher room rates improved performance across properties. In the sharing economy, occupancy climbed four percentage points, while RevPAR fell 4.2 per cent because hosts lowered daily rates to attract price sensitive travellers,” Greenidge said.
“Cruise arrivals strengthened, reflecting increased vessel occupancy rates. In-transit cruise passenger arrivals increased 31.5 per cent to 496 256 visitors during the first nine months of 2025.
“Higher vessel occupancy offset an 8.4 per cent decline in cruise calls to 262 as ships operated with larger passenger loads.”
Greenidge also said that “based on data up to July, Barbados recorded the strongest growth in cruise visitors in the Caribbean, increasing by 33.5 per cent and surpassing other reporting countries within the period, which collectively expanded by 5.1 per cent”.
“Tourism sector growth translated into higher output and broader economic gains. The combined increase in long-stay and cruise visitors lifted tourism value-added nine per cent during the review period,” he said.
“Visitor spending rose on stronger arrivals, higher hotel occupancy, and longer average stays, while airlift improvements supported the flow of passengers through Grantley Adams International Airport.
“The sector remained the main driver of foreign exchange inflows, reinforcing the growth in reserves and sustaining employment across hospitality and supporting industries.”
Tourism growth is expected to continue. Greenidge said in the Central Bank’s economic outlook for the rest of this year that “tourism, construction, and business services should continue to lead the next stage of expansion”.
“Scheduled events, improved connectivity, and additional airline capacity from the United States, Europe, and CARICOM should lift long-stay demand, while high vessel occupancy and an active itinerary pipeline will support cruise traffic,” he said.
“Spillovers will benefit accommodation, dining, transport, and cultural services.”
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