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It can be difficult to entice travellers to visit a Caribbean destination that isn’t all-inclusive; but, St. Kitts is doing it.

The little island has had a nearly seven per cent increase in tourism for the first half of 2015 and is expecting 1.2 million cruise passengers – up from 1 million in 2014. It will also open four new properties over the next two years including the first ever Park Hyatt in the Caribbean – opening June 2016; Embassy Suites by Hilton also opening in 2016; and the Radisson and Koi Resort & Residences set to open in 2017. It’s newly launched Kittitian Hill had a soft opening in December 2014 – a full launch is expected within the year.

“We’ve had a four year relationship with St. Kitts and in that time the destination has extensively expanded its product line,” said Amr Younes, Vice President Sales, Air Canada Vacations. “We are going to continue working closely with the island to ensure we offer a product that is unlike any other in the Caribbean.”

Air Canada Vacations is actually the only tour operator servicing St. Kitts and Air Canada is the only airline flying into the destination directly from Toronto.

“We are not a mass destination,” said the new Minister of Tourism, Lindsay Grant. “We are not just about sand, sea and sun. We are a lifestyle destination. We are our own unique island, bringing a unique experience so that when visitors leave St. Kitts it will be etched in their memory.”