SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Department of Statistics (STAT) reports that air and cruise arrivals were higher in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of 2025 — across both the first quarter (January–March) and the second quarter (April–June).
566,722 Air arrivals Jan–Jun 2026 ▲ 21.4% vs 2025 993,649 Cruise passengers Jan–Jun 2026 ▲ 13.9% vs 2025 1.56M Total visitor arrivals Jan–Jun 2026 ▲ 16.5% vs 2025
Together, the two sources brought an estimated 1.56 million visitor arrivals to the island in the first six months of 2026 — around 16.5 per cent more than the 1.34 million recorded over the same period in 2025. Air travel was the faster-growing of the two, while cruise remained the larger source by sheer volume.
Air arrivals
Air arrivals — every month above last year
Passengers landing at Princess Juliana International Airport, by month · 2026 vs 2025
FIRST QUARTER 314,765 ▲ 22.5% vs 2025 SECOND QUARTER 251,957 ▲ 20.0% vs 2025 BUSIEST MONTH 112,525 March 2026 FIRST HALF VS 2025 ▲ 21.4% +99,922 arrivals
Air arrivals reached 566,722 in the first half of 2026, up 21.4 per cent — almost 100,000 more passengers — on the 466,800 recorded a year earlier. The growth was both strong and steady: arrivals rose 22.5 per cent in the first quarter and 20.0 per cent in the second, and every single month of 2026 came in above the same month of 2025. March was the busiest month of the half-year, with 112,525 arrivals, followed by January with 102,893. The increase was spread across the opening months of the year rather than concentrated in any single period, pointing to sustained demand for air arrivals to the island.
Cruise passengers
Cruise passengers — up overall, but a softer second quarter
Passengers coming ashore at Port St. Maarten, by month · 2026 vs 2025
FIRST QUARTER 748,603 ▲ 17.7% vs 2025 SECOND QUARTER 245,046 ▲ 3.7% vs 2025 BUSIEST MONTH 292,526 January 2026 FIRST HALF VS 2025 ▲ 13.9% +121,290 pax
Cruise passengers totalled 993,649 in the first half of 2026, 13.9 per cent more than the 872,359 of a year earlier. The gain was concentrated at the start of the year: first-quarter arrivals rose 17.7 per cent, with January alone bringing 292,526 passengers ashore — the single busiest month for either type of arrival. The second quarter was more mixed. April (119,940) and June (67,983) were above their 2025 levels, but May fell to 57,123 from 70,019 a year earlier, leaving second-quarter growth at a more modest 3.7 per cent.
Why it matters
Visitor arrivals are among the most closely watched indicators of Sint Maarten's economy, as tourism supports much of the island's employment, business activity and public revenue. Air visitors typically stay several days and spend on accommodation, dining and local services, while cruise passengers come ashore for the day. Taken together, the figures show an economy drawing steadily more visitors through the first half of 2026, led by continued growth in air arrivals.
About the data
The figures in this release are based on arrival records from Immigration & Border Protection Services (air) and Port St. Maarten (cruise), compiled by the Department of Statistics. They cover January to June 2026 and are compared with the same months of 2025. Air arrivals count passengers arriving by air; cruise figures count passengers coming ashore. Second-quarter figures are provisional and may be revised as final records are processed.
