Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has smashed its tourism records with a 25 percent increase in visitor arrivals in 2024, a feat that travel writers and the Vincentian government officials credit, in part, to the arrival of the all-inclusive luxury Caribbean brand, Sandals, in the destination.
For the first time in the country’s history, stayover arrivals surpassed 100,000, reaching an impressive 101,471 visitors by December 2024. This surge marks a transformative economic boom for the multi-island state, driving job creation and boosting airlift capacity.
The 2024 debut of Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is widely seen as the catalyst for this growth, significantly raising the country’s profile on the global travel stage, Caribbean Journal wrote in its January 16 publication, just one day after St. Vincent’s Minister of Tourism, Carlos James, announced the record-breaking figures.
It’s being described as the “Sandals Effect,” a phenomenon observed in the Caribbean destinations where Sandals Resorts has established a presence. The term refers to the positive ripple effects the resort brand brings to a destination, including increased tourism, an employment boom, community development, and additional airlift.
A strategic partnership between Sandals and JetBlue Airways led to the launch of a major New York–St. Vincent route, directly supporting the resort’s operations and providing a clear example of the “Sandals Effect” in action.
Beyond the resort, the benefits extend to local businesses such as tour operators, taxi drivers, restaurants, farmers, fishers, and entrepreneurs, all of whom experience a significant boost.
This tourism boost is now being hailed as one of the Caribbean’s most remarkable success stories of 2024. Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines has been the subject on multiple tourism success stories, one of the most recent examples being its number-one ranking in the Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort category of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2025. Since its spring opening last year, the resort has also attracted a constellation of Hollywood stars and high-profile guests.
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About Sandals® Resorts
Sandals® Resorts offers the ease and refinement of the most-awarded luxury all-inclusive vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 17 beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, each resort reflects the design, cuisine, and unique essence of its island home. From butler service and gourmet dining to top-shelf spirits and luxurious suites, including the Caribbean’s first Overwater Villas and Bungalows, Sandals Resorts is celebrated for pioneering innovations that constantly evolve and elevate the all-inclusive vacation experience. The brand has recently piloted fresh concepts such as MINI Coopers for exploring beyond the resort gates and an off-site Island Inclusive dining program, while staying true to its Caribbean roots and showcasing the transformative link between tourism and its power to transform lives through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI) which includes family-friendly Beaches Resorts, and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.