“Business is better in The Bahamas and its better now than ever before.” This is what the minister responsible for tourism told a group of travel advisors visiting the country the week. Minister Cooper went further stating, “we are, this year, rivaling the pre-pandemic numbers of 2019 with out destination welcoming 3.6 million visitors by half year alone. That number represents 515% increase over the same period last year and if we look at total stopovers that about one million by mid year compared to five hundred thousand the year before. There is no doubt that we’re open for business.”
Resorts and hotels are also seeing increased occupancy as tourism numbers climb. The Minister is counting on this continuing as there is $3 billion dollars of new investments in the pipeline. He said, “this includes numerous significant investments in may of our islands including Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera. The hotels that closed during the pandemic, they’re coming back stronger than before and you will see and hear many new announcements.”
Minister Cooper is also optimistic of increased airlift as major carriers offer added flights to The Bahamas. The Minister said, “we’re attracting substantial airlift. We have twelve direct flights out of London. We have flights coming from Raleigh Durham, that’s new from Bahamasaair. We Sunwing coming soon from Canada to Grand Bahama. We have American Airlines, they’re starting up soon from Charlotte to Grand Bahama. We have Frontier offering even more flights and Air Canada coming back to George Town, Exuma very soon.”
